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Awareness weeks guide

World Asthma Day

World Asthma Day

May 7, 2024

World Asthma Day (WAD) is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma, (GINA) (www.ginasthma.org), a World Health Organization collaborative organization founded in 1993.  WAD is held each May to raise awareness of Asthma worldwide. In celebration of World Asthma Day 2024, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has selected the theme of “Asthma Education Empowers”. Global Initiative for Asthma

UpToDate

Adolescents and Adults

General

Paediatrics

Cochrane Library

Guidelines

Useful resources

Articles

Diagnosis

General

Risks

Research

Treatment

E-books

E-journals

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Articles

Diagnosis

Challenges in diagnosing asthma in children
What you need to know

  • Asthma in children is a clinical diagnosis based on history and examination, and in many cases a response to a trial of inhaled corticosteroid treatment
  • Asthma can be diagnosed in children under 5, but is unlikely to explain recurrent respiratory symptoms in children under 2
  • Tests can be done to help support (or exclude) a clinical diagnosis but should not be used solely to make (or exclude) a diagnosis of asthma

BMJ 3 February 2024

Do not diagnose or routinely treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease without pulmonary function testing
What you need to know

  • More than a third of diagnoses of asthma or COPD made on clinical grounds alone are incorrect
  • A clinical diagnosis of a chronic airways disease without objective testing may harm patients by exposing them to unnecessary medications, while missing their actual diagnosis
  • Given the barriers to objective testing of lung function, including timely test access, it may be reasonable to treat symptoms before a formal diagnosis is made, while arranging for formal tests

BMJ 20 March 2023

Clinician views on how clinical decision support systems can help diagnose asthma in primary care: a qualitative study
Asthma can be difficult to diagnose in primary care. Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) can assist clinicians when making diagnostic decisions, but the perspectives of intended users need to be incorporated into the software if the CDSS is to be clinically useful. Therefore, the authors aimed to understand health professional views on the value of an asthma diagnosis CDSS and the barriers and facilitators for use in UK primary care. Journal of asthma 11 November 2023

An update on asthma diagnosis
Asthma imposes a significant health and socioeconomic burden with an average prevalence impacting 5-10% of the global population. The aim of this narrative review is to update the current literature on topics related to asthma diagnosis. Journal of asthma 2 July 2023

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General

Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management (CICADA). Summary of an updated position statement on chronic cough in Australia
Cough is the most common symptom leading to medical consultation. Chronic cough results in significant health care costs, impairs quality of life, and may indicate the presence of a serious underlying condition. We have presented an updated Australian position statement on cough management in the clinical consultation.

The main recommendations are:

  • Assessment of children and adults requires a focused history of the chronic cough to elicit any red flag cough pointers that may indicate an underlying disease.
  • Further assessment with examination should include a chest x‐ray and spirometry (age, > 6 years).
  • Separate paediatric and adult diagnostic management algorithms should be followed.
  • Management of the underlying condition(s) should follow specific disease guidelines, as well as address adverse environmental exposures and patient/carer concerns.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children should be considered high risk groups.

MJA 20 November 2023

Common conditions that mimic asthma
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in Australia, affecting 11% of the population. Most patients with asthma are managed in primary care, but globally, 20–70% of patients with asthma are undiagnosed, and 30–35% of people with an asthma diagnosis do not have evidence of current asthma.2 Improved access to spirometry in primary care is often proposed as the solution. However, simple spirometry is often uninformative, and some patients need several investigations to confirm the diagnosis of asthma, or to distinguish it from common mimics. This article highlights conditions that commonly mimic asthma in adults and adolescents, with practical advice about key clinical features that can help direct initial investigations in primary care. MJA 18 April 2022

Functionality and quality of Asthma mHealth apps and their consistency with international guidelines: structured search and evaluation
This study used a unique checklist developed based on the GINA guidelines to evaluate the content alignment of asthma apps. Good-quality asthma apps aligned with international best practice asthma guidelines are lacking. Future app development should target the currently lacking key features identified in this study, including the use of asthma action plans and the deployment of behavioral change techniques to engage and re-engage with users. This study has implications for clinicians navigating the ever-expanding mHealth app market for chronic diseases. JMIR mHealth and uHealth 15 March 2023

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Risks

Early-life exposure to air pollution and childhood asthma cumulative incidence in the ECHO CREW Consortium
In this cohort study, early life air pollution was associated with increased asthma incidence by early and middle childhood, with higher risk among minoritized families living in urban communities characterized by fewer opportunities and resources and multiple environmental coexposures. Reducing asthma risk in the US requires air pollution regulation and reduction combined with greater environmental, educational, and health equity at the community level. JAMA 28 February 2024

The prevention of house dust mite allergies in pediatric Asthma
This review provides a concise overview of preventive measures against dust mite allergies in pediatric populations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and evolving approach. Dust mites, ubiquitous microscopic arachnids, pose a significant threat to children’s health, triggering allergies and asthma. Traditional preventive strategies such as regular cleaning, mattress covers, and humidity control are essential but warrant refinement. Empowering children through personalized hygiene education and exploring innovative bedding solutions showcase a forward-thinking paradigm. Collaboration with healthcare professionals and embracing technology-driven solutions ensures a holistic and adaptable approach to safeguarding pediatric health against dust mite-related ailments. This abstract underscores the importance of continually reassessing and innovating preventive measures to create resilient and health-conscious living environments for children. Children 15 April 2022

Asthma and landscape fire smoke: A Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand position statement
Landscape fires are increasing in frequency and severity globally. In Australia, extreme bushfires cause a large and increasing health and socioeconomic burden for communities and governments. People with asthma are particularly vulnerable to the effects of landscape fire smoke (LFS) exposure. Here, the authors present a position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. Respirology 15 September 2023 

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Research

Towards net zero: asthma care
What you need to know

  • Hydrofluorocarbon propellants used in pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) disproportionately contribute to healthcare’s environmental impact
  • Reduced use of pMDIs improves planetary outcomes as well as clinical outcomes for patients
  • Whenever clinically appropriate, consider low carbon inhalers (dry powder or soft mist) rather than high carbon pMDIs
  • Seek opportunities to review asthma care at every consultation

BMJ 19 June 2023

Acoustic biomarkers in asthma: a systematic review
This systematic review establishes the promising role of acoustic biomarkers, particularly cough and wheeze, in supporting the diagnosis of asthma and monitoring. The evidence suggests the potential for clinical integration of acoustic biomarkers, emphasizing the need for further validation in larger, clinically-diverse populations. Journal of asthma 18 April 2024

Regional variation in prevalence of difficult-to-treat asthma and oral corticosteroid use for patients in Australia: heat map analysis
Despite global and national guidelines, regional differences in the prevalence of difficult-to-treat asthma and uncontrolled difficult-to-treat asthma and oral corticosteroid (OCS) use exist in Australia. Understanding these regional variations should inform policy and target management in the areas with the greatest unmet need. Journal of asthma 18 July 2022

Patient-reported outcome measures in severe asthma: an expert consensus
This consensus paves the way toward patient-centered care, promoting the development of strategies supporting routine assessment of PROs in severe asthma management. Journal of asthma 26 December 2023

Health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, beliefs of medication, and self-efficacy in individuals with severe asthma – a population-based study
Efforts to improve asthma control and to reduce anxiety may improve Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)  in individuals with severe asthma. Especially, women with severe asthma seem to need support to improve their HRQoL. Reducing concerns with asthma medication is most likely essential as high concerns may lead to poor adherence, which in turn may negatively affect asthma control and HRQoL. Journal of asthma 26 August 2023

Impact of multimorbidity patterns in hospital admissions: the case study of asthma
These findings highlight the importance not only of a complete assessment of patients with asthma, but also of considering the presence of asthma in patients admitted by other diseases, as it may have a relevant impact on clinical and health services outcomes. Journal of asthma 21 April 2023

The relationship between changes in peak expiratory flow and asthma exacerbations in asthmatic children
Children with asthma show a decrease in peak expiratory flow(PEF) 1.34 days before the onset of asthma symptoms. The authors recommend that asthmatic children who show a decrease in PEF should step-up asthma therapy. The most common cause of acute exacerbations of asthma was upper respiratory tract infections, and the variation in PEF caused by air pollution was significantly higher than that caused by other factors. BMC pediatrics 27 April 2024

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Treatment

Treatments for poorly controlled asthma
What you need to know

  • In a patient with worsening symptoms of asthma, confirm the diagnosis and address possible causes of worsening, including treatment adherence, comorbidities, and environmental factors
  • Combined inhaled corticosteroids with long acting β agonists (LABA) as single maintenance and reliever therapies are associated with reduced exacerbations and improved asthma related quality of life compared with traditional dual maintenance and reliever therapies
  • LABA monotherapy is not recommended owing to increased risk of exacerbations and asthma related death
  • Written asthma plans given to patients as part of a supported self-management strategy help reduce hospitalisation and emergency department attendances

BMJ 4 October 2021

Combination fixed-dose β agonist and steroid inhaler as required for adults or children with mild asthma: a Cochrane systematic review
fast-acting β2-agonist / Inhaled corticosteroid (FABA/ICS) as required is clinically effective in adults and adolescents with mild asthma and reduced exacerbations, hospital admissions or unscheduled healthcare visits and exposure to systemic corticosteroids and probably reduces adverse events compared with FABA as required alone. FABA/ICS as required is as effective as regular ICS and reduced asthma-related hospital admissions or unscheduled healthcare visits, and average exposure to ICS, and is unlikely associated with increased adverse events. BMJ evidence-based medicine 24 March 2022

Psychological factors, Digital Health Technologies, and best Asthma management as three fundamental components in modern care: A narrative review
The author’s objective was to conduct an exhaustive survey of the application of digital health technologies in evaluating, treating, and self-managing psychological and psychopathological elements linked to asthma. We analyzed a compendium of research papers pertaining to asthma, encompassing themes such as outdoor air pollution, early life wheezing disorders, atopic dermatitis, digital strategies for asthma self-management, psychiatric conditions and asthma, familial impacts on pediatric asthma, and the utilization of mobile health apps for managing asthma. Applied sciences 22 April 2024

The experience of shared decision-making for people with asthma: A systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies
This review contemplates the implementation of SDM from the perspective of people living with asthma, with the aim of providing patient-centred services for them. The results of this review can benefit the implementation of SDM and facilitate information sharing. It offers guidance for SDM skills training among adults living with asthma, fosters a better doctor–patient relationship and facilitates consensus in treatment decisions, thereby enabling personalised and tailored medical care. Health expectations 13 April 2024

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E-books

This is just a sample of the e-books the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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Journals

This is just a sample of the journals the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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