Risk factors in severe asthma

Risk factors for severe acute asthma involve the patient, the environment a nd the society in general. In addition, there are strong interrelationships between these factors. Personal characteristics linked to acute severe ast hma include age (teenagers), denial leading to poor compliance, depression with atypical symptoms in children, and some medical features of asthma ass ociated with increased severity. Environmental factors include air-borne al lergens, infections, irritants such as air pollutants and passive smoking. Life events have not been extensively studied but are likely to play a pred ominant role. The social setting, particularly the health care system, acts as an interface between the patient and the environment. Most all asthma d eaths are avoidable and related to dysfunctions in the health care system.