Spatial distribution of hospital admissions for asthma in the central area of Asturias, Northern Spain

BackgroundAsturias is one of the communities with the highest rates of hospital admission for asthma in Spain. The environmental pollution or people lifestyle are some of the factors that contribute to the appearance or aggravation of this illness. The aim of this study was to show the spatial distribution of asthma admissions risks in the central municipalities of Asturias and to analyze the observed spatial patterns.MethodsUrgent hospital admissions for asthma and status asthmaticus occurred between 2016 to 2018 on the public hospitals of the central area of Asturias were used. Population data were assigned in 5 age groups. Standardised admission ratio (SAR), smoothed relative risk (SRR) and posterior risk probability (PP) were calculated for each census tract (CT). A spatial trend analysis was run, a spatial autocorrelation index (Morans I) was calculated and a cluster and outlier analysis (Anselin Local Morans I) was finally performed in order to analyze spatial clusters.ResultsThe total number of hospital urgent asthma admissions during the study period was 2324, 1475 (63.46%) men and 849 (36.56%) women. The municipalities with the highest values of SRR and PP were located on the northwest area: Aviles, Gozon, Carreno, Corvera de Asturias, Castrillon and Illas. A high risk cluster was found for the municipalities of Aviles, Gozon y Corvera de Asturias.ConclusionsThe spatial analysis showed high risk of hospitalization for asthma on the municipalities of the northwest area of the study, which highlight the existence of spatial inequalities on the distribution of urgent hospital admissions.

Automated summary

Asturias is one of the communities in Spain with the highest rates of hospital admission for asthma, and environmental pollution and people's lifestyle are some of the contributing factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution and patterns of asthma admissions risks in the central municipalities of Asturias.