Age-Related Variations and Seasonal Influences: A Network Analysis of Comorbidities in Asthma Hospitalizations (2013–2023)
<b>Background:</b> Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, exhibits significant heterogeneity in its presentation. This study aimed to investigate age-related comorbidity patterns, seasonal variations, and demographic trends among a cohort of asthma patients within a defined geographical region. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis of 13,695 asthma patients admitted to a Romanian hospital from 2013 to 2023 was conducted. Comorbidity patterns were analyzed using network analysis across age groups, and seasonal trends were investigated through spectral analysis. <b>Results:</b> Asthma admissions exhibited non-linear trends with female predominance (57.72%). The pandemic significantly impacted admission rates, with males experiencing greater COVID-19-related effects. Female admissions showed distinct seasonal patterns potentially linked to domestic responsibilities. Comorbidity patterns evolved with age, shifting from lifestyle factors in younger patients to complex cardiovascular and neurological disorders in older groups. The 60-69 age group showed the highest integration of comorbidity communities. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study revealed that asthma management focus should shift with patient age from the disease itself to addressing underlying comorbidities. Understanding these complex patterns may help personalize treatment strategies and improve long-term prognosis for asthma patients.
Authors
- Cristian Oancea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2083-0581)
- Ana Adriana Trușculescu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5270-1464)
- Camelia Corina Pescaru (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7573-3714)
- Versavia Ancusa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4840-1925)
- Daniel Trăilă (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3499-8430)
- Ovidiu Firă-Mladinescu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9034-5218)
- Norbert Wellmann
- Alexandra Burducescu
Institutions
- Polytechnic University of Timişoara (RO)
- Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO)
- Spitalul Clinic Dr. Victor Babes (RO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2025-03-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072350
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Mental Health Research Topics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.12