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2016 Thunderstorm-asthma epidemic in Melbourne, Australia: An analysis of patient characteristics associated with hospitalization

2016 Thunderstorm-asthma epidemic in Melbourne, Australia: An analysis of patient characteristics associated with hospitalization

Authors :
Philippe Lachapelle
Gayan Bowatte
George Braitberg
Caroline J Lodge
Louis Irving
Nur-Shirin Harun
Jo A Douglass
Shyamali C. Dharmage
Timothy S. C. Hinks
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Taylor and Francis, 2020.

Abstract

Rationale: On November 21, 2016 in Australia, a major thunderstorm-asthma epidemic struck Melbourne with an unprecedented number of emergency presentations, hospital admissions and fatalities. Objectives: We identified affected patients who presented to The Royal Melbourne Hospital, an adult tertiary center in North-West Melbourne. We aimed to characterize individual patient factors associated with hospital admission and identify biomarkers in patient subgroups that are at risk of being severely affected by thunderstorm-asthma. Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of demographics of 240 patients presenting to The Royal Melbourne Hospital on November 21 to 22, 2016 post thunderstorm-asthma event and clinical characteristics of 70 of those patients who subsequently attended an outpatient clinic review. Results: Patients were generally young adults (mean age 35 years), with seasonal rhinitis (96%) and universally (100%) sensitized to ryegrass pollen. Forty-four patients (63%) had a known diagnosis of asthma while 20% reported no previous diagnosis but had symptoms consistent with asthma. Patient characteristics associated with hospitalization were: uncontrolled asthma symptoms in the month before the thunderstorm-asthma event, symptomatic allergic rhinitis, high blood eosinophilia and lower lung function. Conclusion: Thunderstorm-asthma affects people with seasonal rhinitis, ryegrass sensitization and can occur without prior history of asthma, with dramatic potential to inundate a healthcare system. Our data suggests that hospitalization, and thus a more severe thunderstorm-asthma exacerbation, was associated with a known history of asthma, prior uncontrolled asthma symptoms, allergic rhinitis, high eosinophil count and lower lung function. These factors may inform strategies to identify those most at risk of thunderstorm-asthma.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e5302415d0d236cd98e6f63311687456
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/24745332.2020.1727301