Multiple urban and asthma-related risks and their association with asthma morbidity in children

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether a multi-dimensional cumulative risk index (CRI) is a stronger predictor of asthma morbidity in urban, school-aged children with asthma, than poverty or severity alone.

Methods: A total of 163 children with asthma, ages 7-15 years (42% female; 69% ethnic minority) and their primary caregivers completed interview-based questionnaires, focusing on potential cultural, contextual, and asthma-specific risks that can impact asthma morbidity.

Results: Higher levels of cumulative risks were associated with more asthma morbidity, after controlling for poverty level or asthma severity. Analyses by ethnic group and subgroup also supported the relationship between the CRI and specific indices of asthma morbidity.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the utility of multiple-dimensional risk models for predicting variations in asthma morbidity in urban children. Research efforts with urban families who have children with asthma need to consider the context of urban poverty as it relates to children's cultural backgrounds and specific asthma outcomes.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1

Multiple-risk model of asthma morbidity in urban children; variables examined in the current study.

Figure 2

Mean levels of functional limitation scores within multiple risk groups.

Figure 3

Mean levels of asthma ED visits within multiple –risk groups.

Figure 4

Mean levels of asthma hospitalizations within multiple-risk groups.