ACUTE LIFE-THREATENING ASTHMA IN ASIR CENTRAL HOSPITAL

AIM: This study was conducted to analyze the severe acute asthma admissions in Asir Central Hospital (ACH) in Abha, Saudi Arabia. In particular, it aimed to identify risk factors and final outcome of acute life-threatening asthma. METHOD: All patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with acute bronchial asthma from June 1989 to May 1995 were analyzed. Total admis-sions to the ICU were obtained to determine the prevalence of asthma admission to the ICU. RESULTS: There were 13 admissions for 8 patients. Three patients died and five were discharged in good condition. All patients received almost similar modes of therapy. Late presentation was the main cause of death. No patient died of asthma outside the ICU. Asthma constituted 0.42% of total ICU admissions. Several risk factors for admission to ICU were identified, including: poor compliance, previous requirement of systemic steroids, history of previous intubation, and psychiatric illness. CONCLUSION: Asthma continued to be a cause of death despite the availability of treatment. Late presentation is the main cause of death. With proper management the outcome for a majority of patients could be good even in acute life-threatening asthma.