Comorbidity, disease burden and mortality across age groups in a Swedish primary care asthma population : An epidemiological register study (PACEHR)

• Background:Asthma is often associated with other diseases. To identify and manage comorbidities is important, as these conditions may increase the disease burden.Objective:To describe the prevalence of comorbidities, disease burden and mortality across age groups in a large Swedish primary care real-life asthma population.Methods:Observational cohort study of asthma patients, all ages, identified from electronic medical records by ICD-10-CM code, data from 36 primary care centers. Data were linked to national mandatory Swedish health registers. Comorbidities were identified by ICD-10-CM codes and collected from electronic medical records and the National Patient Registers, mortality data from the Cause of Death Register. Exacerbations were defined as hospitalizations due to asthma, and/or emergency visits at hospital and/or prescription claims of oral steroids.Results:In total 33,468 patients ( 58% women) were included. The most prevalent comorbidities were acute upper respiratory tract infection ( 53%), rhinitis ( 25%), acute lower respiratory tract infection ( 25%), hypertension ( 21%), anxiety and depression ( 20%). The comorbidities associated with highest risk for an exacerbation were COPD OR 1.98 ( 95% CI: 1.80-2.19), nasal polyps OR 1.75 ( 95% CI: 1.49-2.05) and rhinitis OR 1.52 ( 95% CI: 1.41-1.63). All-cause mortality was similar to the Swedish population, 1011 deaths per 100,000 person/year compared with 1058 deaths ( standardized risk=0.99 [ 95% CI: 0.95-1.04]). The pulmonary related death rate was greater in the study population versus the Swedish population ( 122 versus 72 per 100,000person/year).Conclusion:Comorbid disease was frequent in this large real-life asthma population with an impact on exacerbations. To identify and treat comorbidities with impact on asthma outcomes are essential to improve

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Asthma

Comorbidity

Mortality

Primary care

Observational

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