scholarly journals What Is New Since the Last (1999) Canadian Asthma Consensus Guidelines?

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (suppl a) ◽  
pp. 5A-27A ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis-Philippe Boulet ◽  
Tony R Bai ◽  
Allan Becker ◽  
Denis Bérubé ◽  
Robert Beveridge ◽  
...  

The objective of the present document is to review the impact of new information on the recommendations made in the last (1999) Canadian Asthma Consensus Guidelines. It includes relevant published studies and observations or comments regarding what are considered to be the main issues in asthma management in children and adults in office, emergency department, hospital and clinical settings. Asthma is still insufficiently controlled in a large number of patients, and practice guidelines need to be integrated better with current care. This report re-emphasises the need for the following: objective measures of airflow obstruction to confirm the diagnosis of asthma suggested by the clinical evaluation; identification of contributing factors; and the establishment of a treatment plan to rapidly obtain and maintain optimal asthma control according to specific criteria. Recent publications support the essential role of asthma education and environmental control in asthma management. They further support the role of inhaled corticosteroids as the mainstay of anti-inflammatory therapy of asthma, and of both long acting beta2-agonists and leukotriene antagonists as effective means to improve asthma control when inhaled corticosteroids are insufficient. New developments, such as combination therapy, and recent major trials, such as the Children’s Asthma Management Project (CAMP) study, are discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S101-S102
Author(s):  
Christoph R Hirche ◽  
Benjamin Ziegler ◽  
Ulrich Kneser

Abstract Introduction Bromelain based Enzymatic Debridement (ED) has been introduced as an additional concept to the burn surgeon’s armamentarium, and is best indicated for mid-to deep dermal burns with mixed patterns. Increasing evidence has been published on special regions and settings, adressing success and limitations of ED for improved patient care. To better guide ED in view of the increasing experience, there is a need to publish updated consensus guidelines with user-orientated recommendations. Methods A multiprofessional expert panel of plastic surgeons and burn care specialists from 10 European countries was convened, to assist in developing current recommendations for best practices with use of ED. Consensus statements were based on peer-reviewed publications and clinical relevance. For consensus agreement, the methodology employed was an agreement algorithm based on a modification of the Willy and Stellar method. For this study on ED, consensus was considered when there was at least 80 % agreement to each statement. Results The updated consensus guidelines from 2019 refer to a diversity of experience and practice patterns of 1232 summarized patient cases in Europe (2017: 500 cases), reflecting the impact of the published recommendations. Forty-three statements were formulated, addressing the following topics: indications, pain management and anesthesia, large surface indication, timing of application for various indications, preparation and application, post-interventional wound management, skin grafting, outcome, scar and revision management, cost-effectiveness, patient′s perspective, logistic aspects and training strategies. The degree of consensus was remarkably high, with consensus in 42 of 43 statements (97.7%), while no consensus was achieved on the role of outpatient treatment/ED as day cases in minor burns in experienced burn centers. A classifications with regard to timing of application for ED was introduced, with „immediate/ very early“(≤12h), early (12-72h) or delayed (>72h) treatment. All further recommendations are addressed in the presentation. Conclusions The updated guidelines in this paper represent further refinement of the recommended indication, application and post-interventional management for the use of ED. The published statements contain detailed, user-orientated recommendations aiming to align current and future users and prevent unnecessary pitfalls. The significance of this work is reflected by the magnitude of patient experience behind it, larger than the total number of patients treated in all published ED clinical trials. Applicability of Research to Practice These consensus guidelines may serve as refined user-orientated recommendations for implementation and successful application of ED in further countries (e.g. USA) based on the evidence and experience of 1232 summarized patient cases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1900901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra L. Dima ◽  
Eric van Ganse ◽  
Gertraud Stadler ◽  
Marijn de Bruin

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) adherence is important for asthma management. Current evidence on the impact of ICS adherence on outcomes is mostly based on correlational analyses of between-person data. Although it is widely acknowledged that asthma outcomes fluctuate over time, evidence on predictors of within-person change is scarce. We aimed to quantify these fluctuations and the longitudinal relationships between ICS adherence and outcomes at both between- and within-person levels.A prospective cohort of persistent asthma patients in France and the UK (n=847, age 6−40 years) provided 3756 reports over up to 2 years via computer-assisted telephone interviews and text messages on ICS adherence, asthma control, reliever medication use and exacerbations. We examined adherence−outcome relationships via longitudinal models, controlling for confounders, including severity.Considerable within-person variability was found for exacerbations (91%), asthma control (59%) and reliever use (52%); 431 (11.5%) reports signalled exacerbations and 2046 (54.5%) poor control. At between-person level, patients with higher average adherence were more likely to report asthma control (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.06−1.47), but not asthma exacerbations (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.87−1.12) or lower reliever use (b −0.0004, 95% CI −0.089−0.088). At within-person level, higher-than-usual adherence was associated with higher concomitant reliever use (b 0.092, 95% CI 0.053−0.131) and lower subsequent reliever use (b −0.047, 95% CI −0.005− −0.088); it was unrelated to asthma control (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84−1.02) or exacerbations (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94−1.16).Patients maintaining high ICS adherence over time have better asthma control. Temporarily increasing ICS adherence tends to be simultaneous to higher reliever use and reduces reliever use later on. Causes of within-person variation in outcomes require more investigation.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isobel Stoodley ◽  
Manohar Garg ◽  
Hayley Scott ◽  
Lesley Macdonald-Wicks ◽  
Bronwyn Berthon ◽  
...  

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, associated with systemic inflammation. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have established anti-inflammatory effects, thus having potential as an adjunct therapy in asthma. This study aimed to compare erythrocyte n-3 PUFA in adults with (n = 255) and without (n = 137) asthma and determine the relationship between erythrocyte n-3 PUFA and clinical asthma outcomes. Subjects had blood collected, lung function measured and Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score calculated. Fatty acids were measured in erythrocyte membranes by gas chromatography, and the omega-3 index (O3I) was calculated (% eicosapentaenoic acid + % docosahexaenoic acid). O3I was similar in subjects with and without asthma (p = 0.089). A higher O3I was observed in subjects with controlled or partially controlled asthma (ACQ < 1.5) compared to subjects with uncontrolled asthma (ACQ ≥ 1.5) (6.0% (5.4–7.2) versus 5.6% (4.6–6.4) p = 0.033). Subjects with a high O3I (≥8%) had a lower maintenance dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) compared to those with a low O3I (<8%) (1000 μg (400–1000) versus 1000 μg (500–2000) p = 0.019). This study demonstrates that a higher O3I is associated with better asthma control and with lower ICS dose, suggesting that a higher erythrocyte n-3 PUFA level may have a role in asthma management.


2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Gervais ◽  
Isabelle Larouche ◽  
Lucie Blais ◽  
Anne Fillion ◽  
Marie-France Beauchesne

BACKGROUND: The management of asthma remains suboptimal despite the publication of Canadian asthma guidelines in 1999.OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted to estimate the proportion of patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for an asthma exacerbation who received a management plan at discharge that was in accordance with seven criteria stated in the Canadian asthma guidelines. The present study took place in two tertiary care hospitals in Montreal, Quebec.RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were enrolled. Three (8%) patients received a management plan at discharge that was in accordance with all seven criteria. Inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids were prescribed at discharge for 29 (78%) and 35 (95%) patients, respectively. Minimal asthma education was provided for 29 (78%) patients and a medical follow-up was recommended to 22 (60%) patients. Airflow obstruction was evaluated at discharge for only 20 (54%) patients.CONCLUSION: Overall, asthma management at discharge from the ED was generally not in accordance with the 1999 Canadian asthma guidelines. A standardized management plan should be implemented in the ED to improve the care of patients with asthma exacerbations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 276-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor J. Royce ◽  
Caroline Schenkel ◽  
Kelsey Kirkwood ◽  
Laura Levit ◽  
Kathryn Levit ◽  
...  

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are thoroughly integrated into the drug supply chain as administrators of prescription drug benefits for private insurers, self-insuring business, and government health plans. As the role of PBMs has expanded, their opaque business practices and impact on drug prices have come under increasing scrutiny. PBMs are particularly influential in oncology care because prescription drugs play a major role in the treatment of most cancers and an increasing number of patients with cancer are treated with oral oncology agents managed by PBMs. There is concern that some PBM practices may threaten access to high-quality cancer care and may increase the financial and administrative burden on patients and practices. In this article, we review the role of PBMs in prescription drug coverage and reimbursement, discuss the impact of PBMs on oncology care, and present data from the 2018 ASCO Practice Survey assessing the knowledge and attitude of oncology practices toward PBMs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (147) ◽  
pp. 170103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Viniol ◽  
Claus F. Vogelmeier

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. While COPD is a mainly chronic disease, a substantial number of patients suffer from exacerbations. Severe exacerbations are related to a significantly worse survival outcome. This review summarises the current knowledge on the different aspects of COPD exacerbations. The impact of risk factors and triggers such as smoking, severe airflow limitation, bronchiectasis, bacterial and viral infections and comorbidities is discussed. More severe exacerbations should be treated with β-agonists and anticholinergics as well as systemic corticosteroids. Antibiotic therapy should only be given to patients with presumed bacterial infection. Noninvasive ventilation is indicated in patients with respiratory failure. Smoking cessation is key to prevent further COPD exacerbations. Other aspects include choice of pharmacotherapy, including bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, long-term antibiotics and mucolytics. Better education and self-management as well as increased physical activity are important. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination is recommended. Treatment of hypoxaemia and hypercapnia reduce the rate of COPD exacerbations, while most interventional bronchoscopic therapies increase exacerbation risk within the first months after the procedure.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (suppl a) ◽  
pp. 9A-18A ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Lemière ◽  
Tony Bai ◽  
Meyer Balter ◽  
Charles Bayliff ◽  
Allan Becker ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Several sets of Canadian guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma have been published over the past 15 years. Since the last revision of the 1999 Canadian Asthma Consensus Report, important new studies have highlighted the need to incorporate new information into the asthma guidelines.OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on adult asthma management published between January 2000 and June 2003; to evaluate the influence of the new evidence on the recommendations made in the 1999 Canadian Asthma Consensus Guidelines and its 2001 update; and to report new recommendations on adult asthma management.METHODS: Three specific topics for which new evidence affected the previous recommendations were selected for review: initial treatment of asthma, add-on therapies in the treatment of asthma and asthma education. The resultant reviews were discussed in June 2003 at a meeting under the auspices of the Canadian Thoracic Society, and recommendations for adult asthma management were reviewed.RESULTS: The present report emphasises the importance of the early introduction of inhaled corticosteroids in symptomatic patients with mild asthma; stresses the benefit of adding additional therapy, preferably long-acting beta2-agonists, to patients incompletely controlled on low doses of inhaled corticosteroids; and documents the essential role of asthma education.CONCLUSION: The present report generally supports many of the previous recommendations published in the 1999 Canadian Asthma Consensus Report and provides higher levels of evidence for a number of those recommendations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1900491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul O'Byrne ◽  
Leonardo M. Fabbri ◽  
Ian D. Pavord ◽  
Alberto Papi ◽  
Stefano Petruzzelli ◽  
...  

Overall, asthma mortality rates have declined dramatically in the last 30 years, due to improved diagnosis and to better treatment, particularly in the 1990s following the more widespread use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). The impact of ICS on other long-term outcomes, such as lung function decline, is less certain, in part because the factors associated with these outcomes are incompletely understood. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effect of pharmacological interventions, particularly ICS, on asthma progression and mortality. Furthermore, we review the potential mechanisms of action of pharmacotherapy on asthma progression and mortality, the effects of ICS on long-term changes in lung function, and the role of ICS in various asthma phenotypes.Overall, there is compelling evidence of the value of ICS in improving asthma control, as measured by improved symptoms, pulmonary function and reduced exacerbations. There is, however, less convincing evidence that ICS prevents the decline in pulmonary function that occurs in some, although not all, patients with asthma. Severe exacerbations are associated with a more rapid decline in pulmonary function, and by reducing the risk of severe exacerbations, it is likely that ICS will, at least partially, prevent this decline. Studies using administrative databases also support an important role for ICS in reducing asthma mortality, but the fact that asthma mortality is, fortunately, an uncommon event makes it highly improbable that this will be demonstrated in prospective trials.


2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (suppl a) ◽  
pp. 11A-16A ◽  
Author(s):  
R Andrew McIvor ◽  
Alan Kaplan ◽  
Caroline Koch ◽  
John S Sampalis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of montelukast as monotherapy for patients with mild asthma who remain uncontrolled or unsatisfied while on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) monotherapy.DESIGN: A multicentre, open-label study. Patients (six years of age or older) had ICS therapy discontinued and were treated with orally administered montelukast once daily for six weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the rate at which asthma symptom control was achieved or maintained after six weeks of treatment. The secondary outcome measures were to compare compliance and physician satisfaction, and to further assess the safety and tolerability of montelukast.RESULTS: Of the 534 patients enrolled, 481 (90.1%) completed the study. Mean (± SD) age was 27.8±19.0 years. The number of patients with uncontrolled symptoms decreased from 455 (85.2%) at baseline to 143 (26.8%) at week 6 (P<0.001), and mean Asthma Control Questionnaire score decreased from 1.4±0.8 to 0.6±0.6 (P<0.001), representing a clinically significant improvement. Of the 79 patients with controlled asthma symptoms at baseline, 73.4% maintained asthma control at week 6. Compliance to asthma therapy increased from 41% at baseline for ICS to 88% at week 6 for montelukast (P<0.001). Physician satisfaction with treatment increased from 43% to 85% (P<0.001) and patient satisfaction increased from 45% at baseline to 94% at week 6. No serious adverse events were reported over the course of the study.CONCLUSION: Montelukast is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to ICS treatment in patients with mild asthma who are uncontrolled or unsatisfied with low-dose ICS therapy.


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