Characteristics and outcomes of treatment in status asthmaticus patients at emergency department.

Introduction: The characteristics and treatment outcomes of status asthmaticus patients in emergency department (ED) have not been described previously especially in Thailand.

Objective: To describe the characteristics, treatment outcomes and factors associated with status asthmaticus in Thai patients presenting to a single center ED.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at Thammasat University hospital, Thailand. The data collected included demographics, asthma history and control, previous ED attendances and hospital admissions, presenting clinical, laboratory and radiographic features, treatments given, and outcomes. Multivariable regression was used to determine independent factors associated with status asthmaticus.

Results: Over one year (2015-16), 209 patients were recruited, aged 6 - 54 years (median 33 y), of whom 145 (69.3%) had status asthmaticus. The factors associated with status asthmaticus were: (i) age > 60 y, (ii) presence of a comorbidity, (iii) having uncontrolled asthma, (iv) hospitalizations or visits to the ED in the last year, and (v) using > 1 metered dose inhaler canister per month. Status asthmaticus patients were significantly less likely to speak in sentences (p=0.001) and more likely to have poor air entry and chest wall retraction (p<0.0001), an abnormal chest X ray (p=0.011), receive magnesium sulphate and be admitted into hospital (p<0.0001). No patients died.

Conclusions: Status asthmaticus was common in this cohort of patients in our setting. Our findings are consistent with previous studies and underscore the need for better patient management.