title: [Acute asthma outside hospital. The predictive value of pulse oximetry in manifestation of respiratory insufficiency].
abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of pulse oximetry before treatment of acute asthma in the prehospital setting. Unfavorable outcome was defined as need for mechanical ventilation during the acute attack. The study was carried out prospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: SpO2 < 80% and SpO2 > or = 80%. The study group consisted of 44 patients with 47 asthmatic attacks. Eleven patients had SpO2 < 80%, of whom two required mechanical ventilation. Thirty-three patients with 36 attacks had SpO2 > or = 80%, none required mechanical ventilation. Oximetry before treatment with a cut off point of < 80% had a specificity of 18% and a sensitivity of 100% for prediction of unfavourable outcome. We conclude at SpO2 < 80% in the acute asthmatic attack is a serious prognostic sign which should warn the physician that the patient's condition is lifethreatening.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003718:Denmark; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
vernacular_title: Akut astma uden for hospital. Vaerdien af pulsoximetri som prognostikum for manifest respirationsinsufficiens.