Pharmacotherapeutic strategies for critical asthma syndrome: a look at the state of the art

ABSTRACT

Introduction

‘Critical Asthma Syndrome’ (CAS) is an umbrella term proposed to include several forms of asthma, responsible for acute and life-threatening exacerbations. CAS requires urgent and adequate supportive and pharmacological treatments to prevent serious outcomes.     

Anxiety sensitivity as a mediator of the association between asthma and smoking

Objective: Despite its negative effects, smoking is more common among individuals with asthma compared to those without. Anxiety sensitivity (fear of arousal-related sensations) is associated with both smoking and asthma; however, no research, to date, has examined the interplay between these three factors. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity in the association between asthma diagnosis and smoking status. Methods: The current study was a secondary analysis of data from three existing datasets of non-smokers and smokers with and without asthma (n?=?433; 56.3% female, M_age?=?34.01 years, SD?=?13.9). Participants provided information on their asthma diagnosis status and smoking status and completed self-report measures. Results: As hypothesized, after controlling for gender, race and age, there was a significant indirect effect of asthma diagnosis on smoking status through anxiety sensitivity (95% CI?=?0.07–0.48). Conclusions: These results indicate that the association between asthma diagnosis and smoking status appears to be driven, in part, by anxiety sensitivity and suggest that anxiety sensitivity may serve as an important target for prevention and intervention efforts for smokers with asthma.     

Lung Ultrasound for the Emergency Diagnosis of Pneumonia,Acute Heart Failure,and Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease/Asthma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Lung ultrasound can accelerate the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases in adults with respiratory symptoms.

Pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ): Validation among asthmatic children in Thailand

Quality of life (QoL) is an important consideration among asthma sufferers. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring health-related QoL in children with asthma. The standardized version of PAQLQ contains 23 questions in three domains, i.e., activity limitation, symptoms and emotional function. The objective of this study was to validate the Thai-translated version of the PAQLQ. The study design consisted of a five-week single cohort study. Patients recorded symptoms, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) each morning and evening during the first and fifth week of the study in asthma diary. At each clinic visit, a trained-interviewer administered the PAQLQ and performed spirometric measurements. Fifty-one children, ages between 7 and 17 yr participated in the study. Scores from the asthma diary were used to classify patients into stable vs. unstable groups. The construct validity of the questionnaire was confirmed in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies by demonstrating correlations between various PAQLQ domains with clinical asthma parameters (asthma diary, beta-agonist use and PEFR). There was high internal consistency for scores of the three domains (Cronbach's alpha-coefficient = 0.83-0.95). For those with stable asthma, the reliability of PAQLQ was good for the rating scale (intra-class correlation coefficient--ICC = 0.84) and for total score (alpha = 0.97) indicating high reproducibility of the PAQLQ. The significant difference of changes QoL scores between stable and unstable groups was observed in all domains. We conclude that the Thai version of PAQLQ is valid and reliable for implementing in Thai children with asthma.     

经肺动脉与支气管动脉血管造影的CTA观察原发肺癌的血供

目的用支气管动脉(BA)和肺动脉(PA)造影CTA观察肺癌血供情况。方法前瞻性观察6例支气管肺癌患者,分别行体循环动脉和肺动脉数字减影血管造影(DSA)后,留置BA导管与PA导管行CTBA与CTPA,观察BA与PA对肺癌的血供。结果CTPA上,无体动脉与左心强化的图像上肿瘤未见强化,有体动脉或左心强化的图像上见肿瘤边缘强化,CT强化值为10.0~45.6 Hu。CTBA上肿瘤部分明显强化,CT强化值为150.3~320.7 Hu,可见杂乱无章的肿瘤血管影,3例见纵隔淋巴结强化。结论本组病例观察表明原发性肺癌由BA为主的多发体循环动脉供血,未发现PA参与供血。     

慢性肺心病哮喘持续状态218例临床分析

目的探索治疗慢性肺心病哮喘持续状态的方法。方法回顾性分析1983年10月～2005年3月收治的218例慢性肺心病哮喘持续状态患者的临床资料。结果哮喘持续状态在48h以内被控制的62例（28．4％）；在72h以内控制的56例（25．7％）；在120h以内控制的25例（11．5％）；在168h以内控制的34例（15．6％）；痊愈出院177例（81．2％）；死亡41例（18．8％）。结论（1）治疗慢性肺心病哮喘持续状态．根据患者的病理变化．综合治疗．效果显著。（2）在治疗过程中．要恰当选择抗生素和平喘药；对那些血液黏滞度增高的患者．要加用血液稀释疗法。（3）测定血液黏滞度和氧饱和度．可以指导治疗、估计预后．应当列为常规检查。     

44例老年重症哮喘的院前急救体会

目的探讨老年重症哮喘急性发作的院前急救措施。方法在常规平喘治疗基础上,治疗组用甲基泼尼松龙80mg加入5%葡萄糖溶液(0.9%氯化钠溶液)40ml中静脉注射,对照组用地塞米松10mg加入5%葡萄糖溶液(0.9%氯化钠溶液)20ml中静脉注射,观察治疗前、后两组患者临床疗效评分变化。结果治疗组比对照组起效快,疗效好,两组疗效间差异有显著性意义(P<0.01)。结论甲基泼尼松龙是老年重症哮喘院前急救的首选方法,尽早使用,有利于提高抢救成功率。