Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients With Bronchial Asthma at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness. It contributes significantly to global morbidity and hospital admissions, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients hospitalized with bronchial asthma at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Medical records of patients admitted during 1397 (March 2018 to March 2019) were reviewed. Thirty-six patients with bronchial asthma were included. Data regarding demographics, residence, occupation, seasonal distribution, and clinical features were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Among 1,393 hospital admissions, 36 patients (2.58%) were hospitalized with asthma. All hospitalized patients were adult females, 36 (100%). The most affected age group was 25-34 years, accounting for 11 (30.5%) cases. Most patients were residents of Kabul, accounting for 20 (55.5%) cases, while 28 (77.7%) were housewives. Admissions increased during the autumn months. The most common symptom was shortness of breath in 36 (100%) patients, followed by cough in 31 (86.1%), sputum production in 28 (77.7%), anxiety in 25 (69.4%), and fever in 22 (61.1%) patients. Conclusions Asthma accounted for a notable proportion of hospital admissions and predominantly affected young adult women. Seasonal variation was observed among hospitalized patients. Environmental exposures, healthcare access, health literacy, and medication adherence may influence asthma outcomes; however, these factors were not directly measured in the present study and warrant further investigation.