Early death risk factor that doubles the chances has been revealed

Severe asthma can nearly double the risk of premature death. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the Karolinska Institute. The study results have been published in the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ).

Scientists analyzed data from more than 11,000 asthma patients and followed them for up to 20 years. Participants were divided into groups based on disease severity. During the observation period, mortality among people with severe asthma reached 34%, compared to approximately 20% for mild and moderate forms.

"In terms of risk, this means a nearly twofold increase in the probability of premature death among patients with severe disease. At the same time, asthma itself rarely becomes a direct cause of death. The main contribution to increased mortality comes from comorbid conditions," the scientists noted.

Asthma often causes systemic inflammation — the body produces large amounts of special signaling molecules called cytokines. Their excess can reduce vascular elasticity, increase the permeability of vessel walls, and disrupt blood flow. The risk of thrombosis also increases, which can lead to myocardial infarction or stroke.

Patients with severe asthma also more frequently develop oncological conditions, which serve as the cause of death in the long term. An additional risk factor is frequent exacerbations, which place a constant burden on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

The researchers emphasize that severe asthma is relatively rare, occurring in approximately 3-8% of all patients with this diagnosis. However, it is precisely this group that requires the most attentive medical monitoring, as even with modern therapy, they remain vulnerable to systemic complications.