Glycine allele at codon 16 has previously been associated with the increase in asthma severity, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and also the increase in inhaled corticosteroid dependence. This study was designed to evaluate the genetic alleles in mild asthma.Thirty-four patients with diagnosis of mild asthma (FEV1 ≥ 80%, positive methacholine test) and body mass index (BMI ≤ 30 Kg/m2) were includ...

Patients 1970 patients who were > 12 years of age and had mild asthma. 698 corticosteroid free patients (group A) (mean age 31 y, 60% women) had not used an inhaled corticosteroid for > 3 months and had an FEV1 > 80% of predicted normal after inhaling terbutaline, 1 mg. 1272 corticosteroid treated patients (group B) (mean age 37 y, 57% women) were receiving < 400 ìg/day of inhaled budesonide or...

BACKGROUND Children with severe/difficult-to-treat asthma experience high morbidity including frequent severe exacerbations. More knowledge is required to identify predictors of these exacerbations to reduce their occurrence. OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk of future severe exacerbations (FSEs) in children with severe/difficult-to-treat asthma and recent severe exacerbations (RSEs). METHO...

BACKGROUND Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are effective treatment for childhood asthma. Cross-sectional studies indicate that some asthmatic children are treated with excessively high doses of ICS and are at risk of serious adverse effects. OBJECTIVE To describe longitudinal trends in asthma prescribing for children, with particular reference to very-high-dose (unlicensed) ICS prescribing. D...

Anti-IgE therapy, using recombinant humanized anti-IgE antibodies, is clinically effective in patients with eosinophil-related disorders such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic urticaria. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia tends to respond promptly to systemic corticosteroid therapy, however; relapses are common following corticosteroid tapering. We treated two patients (17- and 19-...

BACKGROUND Asthma exacerbations are caused by a variety of risk factors. Reducing exposure to these risk factors improves the control of asthma and reduces medication needs. Knowledge of the particular risk factors is essential in formulating controlling and treatment protocols. This study set out to determine the risk factors for asthma exacerbations in patients presenting to the emergency uni...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare asthma-related health care expenditures among patients newly prescribed fluticasone propionate 44 or 110 microg, montelukast 5 or 10 mg, or zafirlukast 20 mg. DESIGN Retrospective cohort analysis of medical and pharmacy claims. SETTING University-affiliated health outcomes research center. PATIENTS Seven hundred eighty-one patients (aged > or = 4 yrs) with asthm...

OBJECTIVE Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is an evolving technology for the diagnosis and followup of patients with asthma. Our objective is to review the findings on patients who underwent both spirometry and IOS during clinical evaluations of their asthma. The goal was to retrospectively evaluate IOS during the initial diagnosis and followup of patients with asthma in comparison with spirometry. ...

This study assessed whether the improper use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) is associated with decreased asthma control in asthmatics treated by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). General practitioners (GPs) included consecutive asthmatic outpatients treated by pMDI-administered ICS and on-demand, short-acting beta2-agonists. They measured an asthma instability score (AIS) based on da...

In primary care, asthma and rhinitis are common paediatric comorbidities for which long term inhaled or nasal corticosteroid may be prescribed. Atopic children may receive both, resulting in high cumulative doses of topical corticosteroids and increasing the risk of adverse effects. From 185 general practices in Scotland, we identified the number of children who were chronically prescribed both...