Abstract:
Background: Recurrent exacerbations in patients with moderate or severe asthma are the major causes of
morbidity, mortality and medical expenditure. Identifying predictors of frequent asthma attack might offer the
fertile ground of asthma management. However, systematic data on asthma management is scarce in Ethiopia.
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine predictors of acute asthma attack in patients with
asthma attending emergency department of University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UOGCSH) in
Gondar, northwestern Ethiopia.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional self-administered survey was conducted on 108 asthmatic patients
who came to the emergency department of UOGCSH following acute asthma attack. Data were collected through
interviewer administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was done to see the possible association of potential
factors that may lead to asthma exacerbation.
Result: About half of the respondents (51.9%) were female and one third of patients (38.9%) were within the age
range of between 46 and 60 years. The leading potential predictor were frequent exposure to various ongoing
allergen (68.5%) followed by revelation to occupational sensitizers (67.6%). Chronic sinusitis (AOR = 3.532, 95% CL =
1.116–11.178), obstructive sleep apnea (AOR = 3.425, 95% CL = 1.255–9.356) and psychological disfunctioning (3.689
(1.327–10.255)) were among the significantly associated factors of acute asthma exacerbation.
Conclusions: Now days, the backbone for long-term asthma management is to prevent exacerbations. Chronic
sinusitis, obstructed sleep apnea and psychosocial dysfunction were originated to be considerably linked with
repeated exacerbations of asthma. Among those significantly associated predictors, obstructed sleep apnea were
the most prevalent one.
