A review of adult asthma hospitalizations in Louisiana, 2006-2011

Abstract

This paper examines asthma inpatient hospitalizations for Louisiana residents ages 15 years and older from 2006 to 2011. There were 21,398 asthma hospitalizations, with 14,401 unique cases. Approximately 22 percent of cases had more than one asthma hospitalization. The case rate of adults hospitalized for asthma decreased significantly during the six-year period. However, the rate of all adult hospitalizations for asthma did not significantly change. Black women had the highest age-adjusted case rate, followed by white women. Days hospitalized averaged from 2.8 to 4.9 among the youngest to the oldest age groups, respectively. Differences between black and white patients were observed in type of payment and admit source. Parish rates varied significantly: Caldwell, Jefferson Davis, and LaSalle had rates that were at least twice the mean state rate. Rural parishes had a significantly higher rate than non-rural parishes. The information in this review can be used to target outreach and prevention activities.