Patients with a longer duration of asthma symptoms are more likely to require admission to hospital

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Kelly, Anne-Maree, Powell, Colin VE and Kerr, Debra (2002) Patients with a longer duration of asthma symptoms are more likely to require admission to hospital. Emergency Medicine , 14 (2). pp. 142-145. ISSN 1742-6723

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether, for patients with moderate or severe asthma presenting to emergency departments, there is a difference in need for hospitalization between those with a duration of symptoms less than 6 h and those with a longer duration of symptoms. Methods: This prospective, observational study investigated a sample of patients presenting with acute asthma between 21 August and the 3 September 2000, attending study emergency departments and classified as having moderate or severe asthma according to the National Asthma Guidelines. Data collected included duration of symptoms (less than 6 h or greater than 6 h) and disposition following emergency department treatment (home, ward, intensive care unit, high dependency unit, transfer). Data analysis was by Chi square analysis. Results: Of 381 eligible patients, 348 had sufficient data for entry into this study (33 had missing data). Patients with duration of symptoms more than 6 h were more likely to require hospital admission (P < 0.0001). The relative risk for hospital admission or transfer as opposed to discharge from the emergency department for the group with a duration of symptoms of more than 6 h was 2.2. Conclusion: Patients presenting with moderate or severe asthma and a duration of symptoms of more than 6 h are more likely to require hospital admission or transfer for further treatment than patients with a shorter duration of symptoms. This has implications for decision making regarding asthma management and disposition in the emergency department.

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Additional Information

Currently known as: Emergency Medicine Australiasia

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/21820
DOI 10.1046/j.1442-2026.2002.00308.x
Official URL http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1442-...
Subjects Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
Historical > FOR Classification > 1110 Nursing
Historical > FOR Classification > 1117 Public Health and Health Services
Keywords asthma, duration, phenotype
Citations in Scopus 16 - View on Scopus
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