| Authors | Thien, F. Beggs, P.J. Csutoros, D. Darvall, J. Hew, M. Davies, J Bardin, P.G. Bannister, T. Barnes, S. Bellomo, R. Byrne, T. Casamento, A. Conron, M. Cross, A. Crosswell, A. Douglass, J.A. Durie, M. Dyett, J. Ebert, E. Erbas, B. French, C. Gelbart, B. Gillman, A. Harun, N.S. Huete, A. Irving, L. Karalapillai, D. Ku, D. Lachapelle, P. Langton, D. Lee, J. Looker, C. MacIsaac, C. McCaffrey, J. McDonald, C.F. McGain, F. Newbigin, E. O'Hehir, R. Pilcher, D. Prasad, S. Rangamuwa, K. Ruane, L. Sarode, V. Silver, J.D. Southcott, A.M. Subramaniam, A. Suphioglu, C. Susanto, N.H. Sutherland, M.F. Taori, G. Taylor, P. Torre, P. Vetro, J. Wigmore, G. Young, A.C. Guest, C. |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal Article (Original Research) |
| Journal | Lancet Planet Health |
| PubMed ID | 29880157 |
| Year of Publication | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29880157 |
| DOI | /10.1016/s2542-5196(18)30120-7 |
| Download |  PIIS2542519618301207.pdf (2.1 MB) |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: A multidisciplinary collaboration investigated the world's largest, most catastrophic epidemic thunderstorm asthma event that took place in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov 21, 2016, to inform mechanisms and preventive strategies. METHODS: Meteorological and airborne pollen data, satellite-derived vegetation index, ambulance callouts, emergency department presentations, and data on hospital admissions for Nov 21, 2016, as well as leading up to and following the event were collected between Nov 21, 2016, and March 31, 2017, and analysed. We contacted patients who presented during the epidemic thunderstorm asthma event at eight metropolitan health services (each including up to three hospitals) via telephone questionnaire to determine patient characteristics, and investigated outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. FINDINGS: Grass pollen concentrations on Nov 21, 2016, were extremely high (>100 grains/m(3)). At 1800 AEDT, a gust front crossed Melbourne, plunging temperatures 10 degrees C, raising humidity above 70%, and concentrating particulate matter. Within 30 h, there were 3365 (672%) excess respiratory-related presentations to emergency departments, and 476 (992%) excess asthma-related admissions to hospital, especially individuals of Indian or Sri Lankan birth (10% vs 1%, p<0.0001) and south-east Asian birth (8% vs 1%, p<0.0001) compared with previous 3 years. Questionnaire data from 1435 (64%) of 2248 emergency department presentations showed a mean age of 32.0 years (SD 18.6), 56% of whom were male. Only 28% had current doctor-diagnosed asthma. 39% of the presentations were of Asian or Indian ethnicity (25% of the Melbourne population were of this ethnicity according to the 2016 census, relative risk [RR] 1.93, 95% CI 1.74-2.15, p <0.0001). Of ten individuals who died, six were Asian or Indian (RR 4.54, 95% CI 1.28-16.09; p=0.01). 35 individuals were admitted to an intensive care unit, all had asthma, 12 took inhaled preventers, and five died. INTERPRETATION: Convergent environmental factors triggered a thunderstorm asthma epidemic of unprecedented magnitude, tempo, and geographical range and severity on Nov 21, 2016, creating a new benchmark for emergency and health service escalation. Asian or Indian ethnicity and current doctor-diagnosed asthma portended life-threatening exacerbations such as those requiring admission to an ICU. Overall, the findings provide important public health lessons applicable to future event forecasting, health care response coordination, protection of at-risk populations, and medical management of epidemic thunderstorm asthma. FUNDING: None. |
http://www.ibas.org.au/what-we-do/publications/3872975
Motor neurone disease (MND) causes the body's muscles to weaken. Breathing muscle weakness means that most people affected by MND will eventually lose the ability to take a deep breath and cough strongly....
RESPIRATORY BIOMARKERS IN MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
The inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that breathing...
BETTER SLEEP, BETTER LIFE TIPS
For World Sleep Day, Dr. Amy Jordan joined the "Get Cereal" panelists Sam and Matilda to share top tips for better sleep, discussing the vital importance of sleep health and hygiene in a podcast interview.
Kudos to Dr. Lauren Booker & Dr. Jen Cori on their JOEM publication examining fatigue detection alarms in rural truck drivers. Their study explores the alarms' effectiveness, accuracy, and habituation, offering key insights into fatigue management.
HONORING EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Congratulations to Prof. Anne Holland and A/Prof. Narelle Cox for being featured in the NHMRC's 10 of the Best - 16th Edition. Their work exemplifies groundbreaking research delivering extraordinary outcomes.
WORLD SLEEP DAY ON 14TH MARCH 2025
The benefits of quality sleep and to acknowledge the issue of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects as well as the prevention and management of sleep disorders, is promoted on World Sleep Day on the 14th March 2025.
© 2026 Institute for Breathing and Sleep. All Rights Reserved. ABN 39 093 685 879
Powered by Helmut Design | Manage
