A Logistic Regression Analysis of Predictors for Asthma Hospital Re-admissions

In order to identify the risk factors (predictors) of re-hospitalisation for high-risk asthmatic patients, a retrospective logistic regression analysis describing the relationship between the probability of re-admission and possible predictors in hospitalised asthmatics, aged over 5 years, between 1994-1998, was designed. Study setting was a district general hospital in the West Yorkshire, UK. The results obtained showed that there was a 25.5% re-admission rate for 440 patients admitted to the hospital during the period of study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using the forward stepwise method revealed that only sex (OR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.42, 4.92), Jarman score (OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.13-3.65) and allergy (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.06-3.32) could remain in the model as significant risk factors. It could be concluded that female patients, patients registered within the practices with a higher workload (higher Jarman score) and those who has a history of allergy were at a higher risk of re-admission. More attention should be paid to these patients who are in a higher risk of hospitalisation.