Survey Tool Predicts Risk for Exacerbations in Very Poorly Controlled Asthma

The Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ) may predict the risk for multiple exacerbations in patients with very poorly controlled (VPC) asthma, according to an analysis presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) 2023 Annual Meeting, held in San Antonio, Texas, February 24 to 27.

The AIRQ is a 10-item, yes/no survey tool that stratifies individuals on a 10-point scale into 3 asthma control levels (well-controlled, not well-controlled, and very poorly controlled), with a score of 5-10 indicating very poorly controlled disease. Investigators sought to determine the how well AIRQ in predicted the risk for multiple exacerbations in the next year among individuals with very poorly controlled asthma.

The patient sample analyzed was taken from a cohort of 1070 patients at least 12 years of age who completed monthly online exacerbation reports (describing hospitalizations, emergency department/urgent care visits, and asthma-related oral corticosteroid courses). The survey analysis included 285 of these patients who had completed at least 1 survey and had AIRQ scores that indicated very poorly controlled asthma (84.2% female; mean age, 46.8 [16.3] years; 28.1% non-White).

The researchers found that within 1 year, at least 2 exacerbations were experienced by 130 patients (45.6%), and at least 3 exacerbations were experienced by 83 patients (29.1%). The investigators found that for each increase of 1-point in AIRQ score from 5 to 10, odds of experiencing at least 2 exacerbations increased by 28% (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% CI, 10.5-1.57) and odds of experiencing at least 3 exacerbations increased by 34% (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.65). Each 2-point increase in AIRQ score was associated with a 59% higher odds of experiencing at least 2 exacerbations (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.09-2.33) and with an 80% higher odds of experiencing at least 3 exacerbations (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.19-2.74).

Investigators concluded “Among patients with VPC asthma, AIRQ score predicts risk of multiple exacerbations.” They wrote “Interventions to improve control, even if patients remain in the VPC category, may decrease this risk.”

Disclosure: Some study author declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.