Project description:Rhinovirus (RV) is ubiquitous and typically causes only minor upper respiratory symptoms. However, especially in children and adolescent asthmatics, RV is responsible for most exacerbations. This ability of RV to drive exacerbations typically requires the concomitant presence of exposure to a bystander allergen. Susceptibility to RV-mediated exacerbations is also related to the genetic background of the host, which contributes to greater infectivity, more severe infections, altered immune responses, and to greater inflammation and loss of asthma control. Given these responses, there are several treatments available or being developed that should improve the control of exacerbations related to RV infection.
Project description:Asthma exacerbations significantly impact millions of patients worldwide to pose large disease burdens on affected patients, families, and health-care systems. Although numerous environmental factors cause asthma exacerbations, viral respiratory infections are the principal triggers. Advances in the pathophysiology of asthma have elucidated dysregulated protective immune responses and upregulated inflammation that create susceptibility and risks for exacerbation. Biologics for the treatment of severe asthma reduce rates of exacerbations and identify specific pathways of inflammation that contribute to altered pathophysiology, novel therapeutic targets, and informative biomarkers. Major steps to prevent exacerbations include the identification of molecular pathways whose blockage will prevent asthma attacks safely, predictably, and effectively.
Project description:ObjectiveMost exacerbations are mild to moderate, and antibiotic treatment for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is recommended for patients with severe exacerbations or severe underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the patient factors that are associated with the prescription of antibiotics for inappropriate indication in AECOPD.Material and methodsThis study was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient clinic. The patients diagnosed with AECOPD and prescribed an antibiotic by a pulmonary physician were enrolled in the study. These prescriptions were documented by the pharmacist who asked the patient about the three cardinal symptoms. Appropriate and inappropriate prescription groups were defined by the types of exacerbations, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPD report.ResultsThere were 138 patients, predominantly male (83%), with a mean age of 64 (±9) years. A total of 64% of the prescriptions were appropriate; however, there were 50 (36%) patients with inappropriate antibiotic prescription according to the mentioned criteria. When we compared the patient factors between the appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, Forced expiratory volume in first second % (FEV1%) predicted, FEV1 ml, forced vital capacity (FVC) ml, FEV1/FVC, and amount (packs/year) of smoking (p>0.05 for all parameters). FVC% was statistically significantly lower in the appropriate antibiotic prescription group compared with that in the inappropriate antibiotic prescription group (p=0.049).ConclusionThis study shows that most pulmonary physicians have a tendency to prescribe antibiotics for AECOPD according to the defined GOLD criteria. However, some of the physicians also prefer to prescribe antibiotics self-directedly, irrespective of the GOLD criteria. A physician-based questionnaire can be completed for future studies to define the underlying reasons for antibiotic prescription demands for cases of mild AECOPD.
Project description:To investigate mechanisms underlying frequent asthma exacerbation, we profiled the nasal transcriptome of both frequent and non-frequent asthma exacerbators.
Project description:INTRODUCTION:Effective home management of childhood asthma by caregivers requires education along with a written asthma action plan (AAP), which should outline clear instructions for treatment during exacerbations. However, a large number of asthma exacerbations continue to be managed in the emergency department (ED) and in hospitals, particularly in Canada. The objective of this study was to assess caregiver management of acute asthma at home following the 2015 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines and to identify factors that may be associated with deviations from these guidelines. METHODS:122 caregivers of children, aged 3-17 years, with physician diagnosed asthma, completed a paper-based questionnaire. Correct caregiver management (defined according to the GINA guidelines) of acute asthma as well as their use of an AAP were assessed. RESULTS:Out of all caregivers, 74.6% incorrectly treated their child's asthma exacerbation in a home setting. Among those who used an AAP, we observed significantly more ED visits (0.9 ± 1.2 versus 0.5 ± 0.9, p = 0.04) and hospitalizations (0.2 ± 0.4 versus 0.0 ± 0.0, p = 0.02) when compared to non-AAP users in the past 1 year. CONCLUSIONS:Caregivers of children with asthma in Canada may still lack skills for proper home management of asthma exacerbations. We found a higher number of ED visits and hospitalizations in those using an AAP compared to those who did not use an AAP. These data suggest that current AAPs may not be sufficient for home asthma management.
Project description:Asthma exacerbations are common in asthmatic children, even among those with good disease control. Asthma attacks result in the children and their parents missing school and work days; limit the patient's social and physical activities; and lead to emergency department visits, hospital admissions, or even fatal events. Thus, the prompt identification of asthmatic children at risk for exacerbation is crucial, as it may allow for proactive measures that could prevent these episodes. Children prone to asthma exacerbation are a heterogeneous group; various demographic factors such as younger age, ethnic group, low family income, clinical parameters (history of an exacerbation in the past 12 months, poor asthma control, poor adherence to treatment, comorbidities), Th2 inflammation, and environmental exposures (pollutants, stress, viral and bacterial pathogens) determine the risk of a future exacerbation and should be carefully considered. This paper aims to review the existing evidence regarding the predictors of asthma exacerbations in children and offer practical monitoring guidance for promptly recognizing patients at risk.
Project description:Global patterns of gene expression was profiled in nasal lavage samples obtained from asthmatic children during an acute Picornavirus-induced exacerbation and 7-14 days later. Gene coexpression network analysis and prior knowledge was employed to reconstruct the wiring diagram of the underlying gene networks. The study design consisted of paired samples obtained during the acute exacerbation and 7-14 days later from 16 asthmatic children.