[Readmissions to hospital for asthma in France, 2002-2005].

BACKGROUND

Most hospital admissions with asthma are avoidable. The objective of the analysis was to describe hospital readmissions for asthma.

METHODS

Using data from the French hospital information system, admissions for asthma or for acute respiratory failure associated with asthma that occurred in 2-44 years-old patients between 2002 and 2005 in France (excluding French overseas departments) were analysed. Readmission rates at 7 days and at 1 year were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The risk of readmission at 1 year was 15.0%. It varied according to age (higher in 2-4 year and 35-44 years-old patients) and sex (higher in 10-34 years-old females) and increased with the length of stay of the index admission. The risk of readmission at 7 days was 1.1% and was higher for the shortest lengths of stay.

CONCLUSION

Readmissions for asthma are pertinent indicators for the monitoring of asthma, especially the clinical management of the disease. Using data from an increasing number of years, together with linkage of hospital admissions and asthma drug reimbursement data, should allow a better understanding of severe asthma in France.