Factors associated with mortality after asthma admission in the intensive care unit of a tertiary referral hospital

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Asthma is a global health concern involving 300 million people, and mortality due to asthma still accounts for a significant proportion of deaths. The purpose of this study was to define risk factors for the mortality of patients admitted to the intensive care unit because of asthma exacerbation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 163 severe asthma patients, who were admitted to Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from January 1997 to December 2011 with the need for intensive medical care, was performed. The medical history and laboratory workup at initial visit to hospital were collected by reviewing medical records. To identify risk factors for mortality, data was compared between the survivors (survivor group) and the dead (death group). RESULTS: As a result, mortality rate was 30.7%. The number of patients 65 years or older was larger in the death group. The number of patients on mechanical ventilation was larger in the death group compared to the survivor group. In arterial blood gas analysis, the levels of pH and PaO2 were higher and the PCO2 levels were lower in the death group. In multivariate analysis, the risk of death was higher in patients on mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 5.327). PCO2 and O2 saturation were protective factors for mortality (OR, 0.90 and 0.915, respectively). CONCLUSION: Use of mechanical ventilator, low PCO2, and O2 saturation are the most important factors for mortality while admitted to the intensive care unit in severe asthma patients. We should pay attention to patients who are on mechanical ventilation and have low PCO2 and O2 saturation levels.