Journal article
The 2016 Melbourne thunderstorm asthma epidemic: Risk factors for severe attacks requiring hospital admission
M Hew, J Lee, NH Susanto, S Prasad, PG Bardin, S Barnes, L Ruane, AM Southcott, A Gillman, A Young, K Rangamuwa, RE O'Hehir, C McDonald, M Sutherland, M Conron, S Matthews, NS Harun, P Lachapelle, JA Douglass, L Irving Show all
Allergy European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology | WILEY | Published : 2019
DOI: 10.1111/all.13609
Abstract
Background: The world's most catastrophic and deadly thunderstorm asthma epidemic struck Melbourne, Australia, on November 21, 2016. Objective: Among thunderstorm-affected patients presenting to emergency rooms (ERs), we investigated risk factors predicting severe attacks requiring admission to hospital. Methods: Thunderstorm-affected patients were identified from ER records at the eight major Melbourne health services and interviewed by telephone. Risk factors for hospital admission were analyzed. Results: We interviewed 1435/2248 (64%) of thunderstorm-affected patients, of whom 164 (11.4%) required hospital admission. Overall, rhinitis was present in 87%, and current asthma was present in ..
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