Associations between comorbidities and annual incidence plus frequency of asthma exacerbation hospitalisation during the past year: data from CARN study

• Main Authors: Cai, S. (Author), Chen, P. (Author), Chen, Y. (Author), Chen, Z. (Author), Dai, L. (Author), Gu, Y. (Author), Hu, C. (Author), Huang, M. (Author), Huang, Y. (Author), Huo, J. (Author), Jiang, P. (Author), Lin, J. (Author), Lin, Q. (Author), Liu, C. (Author), Liu, H. (Author), Liu, R. (Author), Liu, X. (Author), Sun, D. (Author), Tang, H. (Author), Wang, C. (Author), Wang, W. (Author), Xu, J. (Author), Yang, L. (Author), Yang, X. (Author), Ye, X. (Author), Yuan, Y. (Author), Zhang, J. (Author), Zhang, W. (Author), Zhou, J. (Author), Zhou, W. (Author), Zhou, X. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BioMed Central Ltd 2022
• Subjects: Asthma; Comorbidity; Exacerbation; Hospitalisation; Multi-centre cross-sectional study
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Purpose: While asthma comorbidities are associated with higher health care utilisation, lower quality of life and poorer asthma control, the impact of asthma comorbidities on hospitalisation for asthma exacerbation (H-AX) remains less recognised. We aim to analyse the impact of asthma comorbidities on H-AX. Methods: Based on a national survey on asthma control and disease perception (CARN 2015 study), we analysed the impact of comorbidities on annual incidence and frequency of H-AX in China. Information on demographic characteristics, asthma comorbidities and annual incidence and frequency of H-AX were presented in this study. Results: Among 3875 ambulatory asthma patients, 75.9% (2941/3875) had comorbidities, and 26.4% (1017/3858) experienced H-AX during past year. After adjusting for confounding factors such as demographic data, smoking status and asthma control, COPD [OR = 2.189, 95% CI (1.673, 2.863)] and coronary heart disease [OR = 1.387, 95% CI (1.032, 1.864)] were associated with higher annual incidence, while allergic rhinitis [OR = 0.692, 95% CI (0.588, 0.815)] was associated with lower annual incidence, of H-AX. In terms of frequency, allergic rhinitis [OR = 1.630, 95% CI (1.214, 2.187)], COPD [OR = 1.472, 95% CI (1.021, 2.122)] and anxiety [OR = 2.609, 95% CI (1.051, 6.477)] showed statistically significant correlation with frequent H-AX. Conclusions: COPD and coronary heart disease were associated with higher annual incidence, while allergic rhinitis was associated with lower annual incidence of H-AX. Allergic rhinitis, COPD and anxiety were associated with frequent H-AX. Comorbidities may have an important role in the risk and frequency of annual hospitalisations due to asthma exacerbation. The goal of asthma control should rely on a multi-disciplinary treatment protocol. © 2022, The Author(s).