Clinical and therapeutic variables influencing hospitalisation for bronchiolitis in a community-based paediatric group practice

Abstract

Aim: To examine the effect of different clinical characteristics and different treatments on the hospitalisation of infants with bronchiolitis seen in an outpatient clinic setting. Methods: The medical records of infants under 2 years of age who presented with a first episode of wheezing over a two-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Hospitalisation within ten days of evaluation was used as the primary outcome measure. Results: Data from 320 patients were included. 17% were hospitalised. Age was lower in the hospitalised patients (4.9 months vs. 7.1, p<0.001). Hospitalisation was higher in RSV-positive versus RSV-negative patients (38% vs. 10%, p<0.001) and was higher in those children who had been exposed to tobacco smoke versus those who hadn't (24% vs. 12%, p<0.01). Treatment with oral corticosteroids was associated with fewer hospitalisations in those patients with a family history of asthma or allergic rhinitis (9.7% vs. 24%, p=0.02) and in RSV-negative patients (2.5% vs. 16.7%, p<0.05). Conclusion: Early treatment of bronchiolitis with oral corticosteroid in an outpatient clinic setting was associated with lower hospitalisation rates in patients with a family history of asthma or allergic rhinitis and in RSV-negative patients. © 2007 General Practice Airways Group. All rights reserved.