Abstract
The causes of asthma death were analyzed on 89 patient from 1990 to October, 1995. Ages ranged 0-26 years old (mean 11.5±6.2 years), including 59 boys and 30 girls. Of 89 patients, comprised 20 cases of mild, 21 cases of moderate, 29 cases of severe asthma, and 19 cases of unknown, 62.9% were dead in the hospital including emergency department. The contributory factors to asthma death were thought to be unexpected sudden excercerbation and delayed decision on medical consultation. A strong dependence on β-stimulant with MDI was observed in 32.6% of the patients, especially in older ages. The possible causes of death were overtreatment with β-stimulant in 11 cases. Five cases of 89 patients were steroid dependent.
