Factors associated with aeroallergen testing among adults with asthma in a large health system.

BACKGROUND

Aeroallergen testing informs precision care for adults with asthma, yet the epidemiology of testing in this population remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify factors associated with receiving aeroallergen testing, the results of these tests, and subsequent reductions in exacerbation measures among adults with asthma.

METHODS

We used electronic health record data to conduct a retrospective, observational cohort study of 30,775 adults with asthma who had an office visit with a primary care provider or an asthma specialist from January 1, 2017, to August 26, 2022. We used regression models to identify (1) factors associated with receiving any aeroallergen test and tests to 9 allergen categories after the index visit, (2) factors associated with positive test results, and (3) reductions in asthma exacerbation measures in the year after testing compared with before testing.

RESULTS

Testing was received by 2201 patients (7.2%). According to multivariable models, receiving testing was associated with having any office visit with an allergy/immunology specialist during the study period (odds ratio [OR] = 91.3 vs primary care only [ < .001]) and having an asthma emergency department visit (OR = 1.62 [ = .004]) or hospitalization (OR = 1.62 [ = .03]) in the year before the index visit. Age 65 years or older conferred decreased odds of testing (OR = 0.74 vs age 18-34 years [ = .008]) and negative test results to 6 categories ( ≤ .04 for all comparisons). Black race conferred increased odds of testing (OR =1.22 vs White race [ = .01]) and positive test results to 8 categories ( < .04 for all comparisons). Exacerbation measures decreased after testing.

CONCLUSION

Aeroallergen testing was performed infrequently among adults with asthma and was associated with reductions in asthma exacerbation measures.