scholarly journals Revisiting early intervention in adult asthma

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 00022-2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tari Haahtela ◽  
Olof Selroos ◽  
Paul M. O'Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
Lung Function Decline ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Long Acting

The term “early intervention” with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma is used in different ways, thereby causing confusion and misinterpretation of data. We propose that the term should be reserved for start of ICS therapy in patients with a diagnosis of asthma but within a short period of time after the first symptoms, not from the date of diagnosis. Prospective clinical studies suggest a time frame of 2 years for the term “early” from the onset of symptoms to starting anti-inflammatory treatment with ICS.The current literature supports early intervention with ICS for all patients with asthma including patients with mild disease, who often have normal or near-normal lung function. This approach reduces symptoms rapidly and allows patients to achieve early asthma control. Later introduction of ICS therapy may not reduce effectiveness in terms of lung function but delays asthma control and exposes patients to unnecessary morbidity. Results of nationwide intervention programmes support the early use of ICS, as it significantly minimises the disease burden.Acute asthma exacerbations are usually preceded by progressing symptoms and lung function decline over a period of 1–2 weeks. Treatment with an increased dose of ICS together with a rapid- and long-acting inhaled β2-agonist during this phase has reduced the risk of severe exacerbations.

scholarly journals Multiple breath washout: measuring early manifestations of lung pathology

Breathe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 210016
Author(s):  
Sanja Stanojevic ◽  
Cole Bowerman ◽  
Paul Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Testing Time ◽  
List Type ◽  
Lung Pathology ◽  
Lung Function Decline ◽  
Airway Pathology ◽  
Multiple Breath Washout

The multiple breath washout (MBW) test measures the efficiency of gas mixing in the lungs and has gained significant interest over the past 20 years. MBW outcomes detect early lung function impairment and peripheral airway pathology, through its main outcome measure lung clearance index (LCI). LCI measures the number of lung turnovers required to washout an inert tracer gas. MBW is performed during normal (tidal) breathing, making it particularly suitable for young children or those who have trouble performing forced manoeuvres. Additionally, research in chronic respiratory disease populations has shown that MBW can detect acute clinically relevant changes before conventional lung function tests, such as spirometry, thus enabling early intervention. The development of technical standards for MBW and commercial devices have allowed MBW to be implemented in clinical research and potentially routine clinical practice. Although studies have summarised clinimetric properties of MBW indices, additional research is required to establish the clinical utility of MBW and, if possible, shorten testing time. Sensitive, feasible measures of early lung function decline will play an important role in early intervention for people living with respiratory diseases.Educational aimTo describe the multiple breath washout test, its applications to lung pathology and respiratory disease, as well as directions for future research.

scholarly journals Health-Related Effects of Home Nebulization With Glycopyrronium on Difficult-to-Treat Asthma: Post-Hoc Analyses of an Observational Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Talwar ◽  
Salil Bendre
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Control Score ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Post Hoc

BACKGROUND Bronchial asthma remains a clinical enigma with poorly controlled symptoms or exacerbations despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids. Home nebulization offers a simplified solution for the delivery of rescue and maintenance bronchodilators, which is especially true for patients with frequent exacerbations during management of uncontrolled or difficult-to-treat asthma. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the clinical impact and outcomes associated with home nebulization—delivered long-acting bronchodilators for uncontrolled or difficult-to-treat asthma. METHODS This observational, concurrent study was conducted with 60 patients at 2 centers during November 2018. Statistical analyses for prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) asthma control score in patients on long-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids were conducted, with two-tailed <i>P</i> values &lt;.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS Per protocol analyses (53/60) for consecutive cases receiving home nebulization with long-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids were conducted. The baseline demographics included a male-to-female ratio of 30:23 and mean values of the following: age, 60.3 years (SD 11.8 years); weight, 64 kg (SD 16.8 kg); FEV1, 43% (SD 16%); GINA asthma control score, 3.0 points (SD 0.8 points); serum eosinophil level, 4% (SD 3%); fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), 12.1 ppb (SD 6 ppb). Of the patients, 100% (53/53) had uncontrolled symptoms, 69.8% (37/53) had prior exacerbations, 100% (53/53) used formoterol/budesonide, and 75.5% (40/53) used glycopyrronium. The per protocol group (n=53) had significantly improved mean prebronchodilator FEV1 (23.7%, SD 29.8%; 0.46 L, SD 0.58 L; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and GINA asthma control score (2.1 points, SD 0.8 points, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). At baseline, patients (n=40) receiving glycopyrronium/formoterol/budesonide (25/20/500 mcg) nebulization admixture had the following mean values: prebronchodilator FEV1, 38% (SD 15%); GINA asthma control score, 3.0 points (SD 0.8 points); reversibility, 12% (SD 6%); peripheral eosinophil level, 4% (SD 3%); FeNO, 12 ppb (SD 5.7 ppb). In the post hoc analyses, these patients had significantly improved mean prebronchodilator FEV1 of 27.7% (SD 26.2%; 0.54 L, SD 0.51 L; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) at 8 weeks compared with baseline. At baseline, patients (n=13) receiving formoterol/budesonide (20/500 mcg) nebulization had the following mean values: FEV1, 55% (SD 12%); GINA asthma control score, 3.0 points (SD 1.2 points); reversibility, 14% (SD 7%); serum eosinophil level, 4% (SD 3%); FeNO, 13.3 ppb (SD 6.8 ppb). In the post hoc analyses, these patients showed a significant improvement in prebronchodilator FEV1 of 11.2% (SD 13.1%; 0.22 L, SD 0.25 L; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) from baseline. Breathlessness of mild to moderate intensity was reported by 10 cases (10/53, 18.9%), with no other treatment-emergent adverse events or serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Home nebulization remains a viable option for symptomatic difficult-to-treat asthma cases with frequent use of rescue medications. Glycopyrronium as add-on therapy offers a synergistic response in patients on corticosteroids with difficult-to-treat asthma. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2018/11/016319; https://tinyurl.com/y78cctm3

scholarly journals Predicted Values for Spirometry may Underestimate Long-Standing Asthma Severity

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Sposato
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Reference Point ◽  
Asthma Severity ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
Bronchial Obstruction ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Lung Function Decline ◽  
Normal Lung Function ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Predicted Values

Background: Asthma may show an accelerated lung function decline. Asthmatics, although having FEV1 and FEV1/VC (and z-scores) higher than the lower limit of normality, may show a significant FEV1 decline when compared to previous measurements. We assessed how many asymptomatic long-standing asthmatics (LSA) with normal lung function showed a significant FEV1 decline when an older FEV1 was taken as reference point. Methods: 46 well-controlled LSA (age: 48.8±12.1; 23 females) with normal FEV1 and FEV1/VC according to GLI2012 references (FEV1: 94.8±10.1%, z-score:-0.38±0.79; FEV1/VC: 79.3±5.2, z-score:-0.15±0.77) were selected. We considered FEV1 decline, calculated by comparing the latest value to one at least five years older or to the highest predicted value measured at 21 years for females and 23 for males. A FEV1 decline >15% or 30 ml/years was regarded as pathological. Results: When comparing the latest FEV1 to an at least 5-year-older one (mean 8.1±1.4 years between 2 measurements), 14 subjects (30.4%) showed a FEV1 decline <5% (mean: -2.2±2.6%), 19 (41.3%) had a FEV1 5-15% change (mean: -9.2±2.5%) and 13 (28.3%) a FEV1 decrease>15% (mean: -18.3±2.4). Subjects with a FEV1 decline>30 ml/year were 28 (60.8%). When using the highest predicted FEV1 as reference point and declines were corrected by subtracting the physiological decrease, 6 (13%) patients showed a FEV1 decline higher than 15%, whereas asthmatics with a FEV1 loss>30 ml/year were 17 (37%). Conclusion: FEV1 decline calculation may show how severe asthma actually is, avoiding a bronchial obstruction underestimation and a possible under-treatment in lots of apparent “well-controlled” LSA with GLI2012-normal-range lung function values.

scholarly journals Association of Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists With Asthma Control in Patients With Uncontrolled, Persistent Asthma

JAMA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 319 (14) ◽  
pp. 1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana M. Sobieraj ◽  
William L. Baker ◽  
Elaine Nguyen ◽  
Erin R. Weeda ◽  
Craig I. Coleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asthma Control ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Persistent Asthma ◽  
Muscarinic Antagonists ◽  
Long Acting

scholarly journals Asthma progression and mortality: the role of inhaled corticosteroids

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1900491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul O'Byrne ◽  
Leonardo M. Fabbri ◽  
Ian D. Pavord ◽  
Alberto Papi ◽  
Stefano Petruzzelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Lung Function Decline ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Asthma Mortality

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.

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