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.
Department of Pediatrics, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA.
Alyson B
AB
Simpson
Ejaz
E
Yousef
Jobayer
J
Hossain
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