thunderstorm asthma

Etiology

• risk factors
  • sensitivity to rye grass pollen
  • peripheral eosinophilia

Epidemiology

• most cases reported in Australia
• combination of wind, humidity, & lightning ruptures grass pollen & mold spores & aerosolizes them

History

• worse asthma control scores a risk factor
• grass pollen allergy a risk factor for hospitalization

Laboratory

• complete blood count (CBC)
  • eosinophil count > 300/uL*
• high fraction of exhaled nitric oxide*

* risk factors

Diagnostic procedures

• FEV1 < 90% of predicted a risk factor for hospitalization

More general terms

• acute asthma; asthma exacerbation