Association between peanut allergy and asthma morbidity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between peanut allergy and asthma morbidity in school-age children.


METHODS
The study involved a medical chart review to assess the association of peanut allergy with asthma morbidity in children beyond age 3 years. Peanut allergy was assessed by specific and validated criteria. A Poisson regression model was used to compare the frequency of systemic steroid use and of hospitalization for asthma beyond age 3 years in children with asthma with and without peanut allergy.


RESULTS
Children with peanut allergy had a 2.32-times greater rate of hospitalization (P = .03) and a 1.59-times greater rate of systemic steroid use (P <.001) after controlling for covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
Peanut allergy serves as an early marker for asthma morbidity. Early prevention and intervention can improve quality of care.
Simpson
Alyson B
AB
Department of Pediatrics, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA.
Yousef
Ejaz
E
Hossain
Jobayer
J
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012882:Skin Tests
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007073:Immunoglobulin E