To compare recovery patterns to optimal asthma control after hospital discharge between obese vs. non-obese patients, and males vs. females. We hypothesize that overweight/obese and females will have a slower recovery time to optimal asthma control.
Retrospective cohort study of children age 2-17 years admitted to a tertiary care children’s hospital, for an asthma attack, between 02/20/2011 and 06/07/2011. Asthma control status was assessed weekly post-hospital discharge. BMI percentile was calculated based on weight and height extracted from patient charts. Descriptive analysis and graphical displays of the data were used to compare recovery patterns.
The study population includes 57 patients. Overall, patients tend to recover from poorly controlled to well controlled status within the first month post-hospital discharge, but show more symptoms in the second month before full recovery to optimal asthma control in the third month. Overweight/obese patients tend to recover slower, show more symptoms of uncontrolled asthma compared to normal weight children. Underweight participants had the poorest asthma control of the 3 groups. Males and females appeared to recover at the same rate, though females had fewer symptoms.
Male and female patients show similar recovery patterns to optimal asthma control. Both underweight and overweight/obese patients have a slower recovery pattern and should be monitored closely to prevent future asthma attacks.