RISK FACTORS FOR INNER CITY ASTHMA PATIENTS
Asthma patients in inner cities have the highest prevalence of asthma and the highest death rates in America. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sensitization and exposure to common indoor allergens seen for asthma treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Ga. Eighty asthma patients were enrolled in the emergency department and 64 in hospital clinics in this study. Neither sensitization nor visibility In this population, cat allergens are prevalent. The findings show that black asthma patients are exposed to high levels of mite and cockroach allergens in downtown Atlanta and that a high percentage of patients with asthma are sensitized to these allergens; a significant risk factor for asthma in this population is the combination of sensitization and exposure. Keywords: asthma; mechanical ventilation, status asthmaticus , Pathophysiology epidemiology mechanisms.