Assessing patient risk for fatal asthma exacerbation is important because many, if not most, asthma-related deaths are preventable if risk factors are recognized and addressed early, said Padma Shri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India.
Major risk factors
1. Recent history of poorly controlled asthma (increases in dyspnea and wheezing, frequency of night time awakenings, use of asthma inhalers and increased day night variability in peak expiratory flow rate)
2. Prior history of near-fatal asthma requiring ventilator or ICU admission
Minor risk factors
1. Pet related allergens
2. Aspirin-induced asthma
3. Exercise induced asthma
4. Cocaine and heroin induced asthma
5. Asthma linked to menstruation
6. Respiratory viruses related asthma.
7. Current smokes
8. Long duration of asthma
9. Systemic steroids dependence
10. Non-adherence to therapy
11. Poor asthma control
12. Psychosocial problems and less adaptive personality
13. Delay in obtaining medical care
14. Older age
15. Allergy history in the family
