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BACKGROUND: There are sparse real world data on severe asthma exacerbations (SAE) in children. This multinational cohort study assessed the incidence and risk factors of SAE and the incidence of asthma related rehospitalization in asthmatic children. METHODS: Asthma patients 5-17 years with ≥1 year of follow-up were identified in six European electronic databases from the Netherlands, Italy, UK, Denmark and Spain in 2008-2013. Asthma was defined as ≥1 asthma specific disease code within 3 months of prescriptions/dispensing of asthma medication. Severe asthma was defined as high-dosed inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller. SAE was defined by systemic corticosteroids, emergency department visit and/or hospitalization all for reason of asthma. Risk factors for SAE were estimated by Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 212,060 paediatric asthma patients contributing to 678,625 patient years (PY). SAE rates ranged between 17-198/1,000 PY and were higher in severe asthma, and highest in severe asthma patients with a history of exacerbations. Prior SAE (Incidence Rate Ratio 3-45) and younger age increased the SAE risk in all countries, whereas obesity, atopy and GERD were a risk factor in some but not all countries. Rehospitalization rates were up to 79% within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In a real world setting, SAE rates were highest in children with severe asthma with a history of exacerbations. Many severe asthma patients were rehospitalized within 1 year. Asthma management focusing on prevention of SAE is important to reduce the burden of asthma.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/pai.13237

Type

Journal article

Journal

Pediatr allergy immunol

Publication Date

01/03/2020

Keywords

asthma, epidemiology, prevalence, risk factors