Increased risk of death from asthma

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Increased risk of death from asthma

It is important to maintain good control of asthma, because asthma can cause death. Children and adults who have had one or more severe, life-threatening asthma attacks (status asthmaticus) are at increased risk of death from asthma.

In addition, if people with asthma don't follow their treatment plans and they overuse quick-relief medication, they may not seek care when it is needed. This might increase their chances of having severe asthma attacks that could be life-threatening or cause death.

Other factors that may increase the risk of death from asthma include:¹

• Prior need for a breathing tube (intubation) for asthma.
• Prior admission to a hospital's intensive care unit for asthma.
• More than two hospitalizations for asthma in the past year.
• More than three emergency visits to the hospital or health professional's office in the past year.
• A stay in the hospital or an emergency room visit for asthma in the past month.
• Long-term use of corticosteroid pills (either current use, or if you recently stopped using them).
• Not being able to tell whether breathing is becoming worse.
• Use of illegal drugs.
• Living in poverty.
• Serious mental problems.
• Having another health problem, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or cardiovascular disease.
• Allergy to a certain kind of outdoor mold (Alternaria).

References

Citations

1. National Institutes of Health (1997). Expert Panel Report 2: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Clinical Practice Guidelines (NIH Publication No. 97-4051). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Credits

Last updated:	May 15, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC