The majority of patients that suffer an asthma attack at the Emergency Room (ER) are mild asthmatics

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma attacks constitute a major cause of Emergency Room (ER) visits and a potential danger to patients' life. Additionally, asthma exacerbations pose a severe economic burden for public health. Consequently, identifying the specific characteristics of this patient subgroup may lead to better patient management and subsequently less asthma attacks occurrence.

Methods: Patients treated for an asthma exacerbation at the ER during four months (2019) were assessed for a definite asthma diagnosis at the outpatient clinic. The study included patients that the diagnosis of asthma was confirmed. Parameters reported at Figure 1a.

Results: A total of 70 patients were enrolled, with 36,2% of them having an asthma diagnosis for the first time. Reexamination, carried out at least 3 months after the attack, revealed that the majority of patients had mild asthma. Specifically, 73,5% had stage I or II, 9,4% stage III and only 17% stage IV or V. Hospital admission occurred in 13,3% of patients (of which 50% stage I-II, 13% stage III and 37% of stage IV-V). Among patients with a previous diagnosis of asthma, prescribed medication included ICS-LABA (16,8%), ICS-LABA & LAMA (10%), SABA monotherapy (26,6%) whereas 30% did not receive any medication. 25,5% were exposed to passive smoking. Specific characteristics available at Figure 1b.

Conclusion: The vast majority of patients with asthma attacks visiting ER were either not diagnosed for asthma or if they were diagnosed, they abused SABA and lacked proper medication. Most of them belong to stage II. Smoking, psychopathology, poor therapy adherence, lack of action plan and a new diagnosis where the most common characteristics.