[Characteristics of asthma patients who need repeated hospitalization; frequency of use of systemic corticosteroids, emergency and unscheduled hospital visits and habitual use of sleeping pills].
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of frequently hospitalized patients.


METHODS
The clinical characteristics of 310 cases having hospitalization episodes (206 patients) for asthma attack analyzed retrospectively based on their clinical records.


RESULTS
Nineteen out of the 206 patients were hospitalized more than just three times during the study period. Mean age (once hospitalization group 50.0+/-1.5 y.o., twice- 53.0+/-2.6 y.o., > or = 3 times- 56.6+/-2.0 y.o., p=0.02) and the ratio of female (once- 55.2%, twice- 61.5%, > or = 3 times- 78.9%, p=0.04) were higher among the groups. The frequency of use of systemic corticosteroids (once- 23.6%, twice- 50.0%, > or = 3 times- 59.8%, p<0.01), emergency and unscheduled hospital visits (once- 0.5+/-0.1 times/6M, twice- 1.3+/-0.3 times/6M, > or = 3 times- 2.7+/-0.2 times/6M, p<0.01), and habitual use of sleeping pills (once- 11.8%, twice- 30.8%, > or = 3 times- 47.4%, p<0.01) were significantly different among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the patients who need repeated hospitalization, the frequency of use of systemic corticosteroids, emergency and unscheduled hospital visits, and habitual use of sleeping pills were higher.
Kaneko
Masahiro
M
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kobe West City Hospital. masakane@kobe-nishishimin-hospi.jp
Ishihara
Kyousuke
K
Hajiro
Takashi
T
Fujii
Hiroshi
H
Ichihara
Eiki
E
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives