Peanut allergy and asthma morbidity

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 12:34

A study has been conducted by researchers in the USA to assess the association of peanut allergy with asthma morbidity in school-age children. Using regression analysis, they compared the frequency of systemic steroid use and of hospitalization for asthma beyond the age of 3 years in children with asthma, with and without peanut allergy.

The results of their study showed that children with peanut allergy had a 2.32-times greater rate of hospitalization and a 1.59-times greater rate of systemic steroid use than those who did not have peanut allergy. The study authors concluded that peanut allergy serves as an early marker for asthma morbidity in this group of patients and the quality of care provided could be improved through early prevention and intervention.

Reference: Simpson et al. 2010. Journal of Pediatrics. Doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.11.080