Beta-blocker use is an independent risk factor for thunderstorm asthma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for thunderstorm asthma (TA) in subjects ≥15 years of age from information available in routine clinical records. METHODS: Retrospective and hospital-based case-control study of various clinical factors in all TA cases (n = 53) who presented to a single-site ED in November 2016 (TA16) and in a control group of patients (n = 156) who presented to the same ED with asthma during the pollen season over eight non-TA years. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression modelling was performed to calculate the odds of TA asthma in the presence of potential risk factors. RESULTS: A logistic regression model revealed that the odds of TA were lower for ag..