6. Asthma Flashcards
What are the main 3+1 symptoms for Asthma?
Combination of:
- Cough
- Wheeze
- Breathlessness
- Chest Tightness
With Variable Airflow Obstruction
(Also Airway Hyperresponsiveness/Inflammation)
Roughly how many people in the UK receive treatment for Asthma?
5.4 Million
1 in 11 Children, 1 in 12 Adults
List 5 different phenotypes of Asthma
- Allergic Asthma
- Non-Allergic Asthma
- Adult-onset (LATE) Asthma
- Asthma w Persistent Airflow Limitation
- Asthma with Obesity
How does the Sympathetic NS affect the airways?
Activating B2 Receptors
Bronchodilation + Mucociliary Clearance
How does the Parasympathetic NS affect the airways?
Activating Muscarinic Receptors
Bronchoconstriction
What is the equation describing Flow?
Pressure Change/Resistance
How is Airflow increased? What rule do we use?
Airflow can be increased by increasing the Pressure Change OR decreasing Airway resistance
Pouseille’s Law (1/r^4)
What cells are responsible for causing the Acute Phase of Asthma?
Mast Cells
During the Acute phase of Asthma, what happens?
Mucosal and Bronchial Wall inflammation
Induces a Bronchospasm due to:
- Mucosal Oedema
- Mucus Plugging
- Smooth Muscle Spasm
What cells are responsible for causing the Late Phase of Asthma?
Th2 Helper Cells ->
B cells ->
IgE and Eosinophils
Leads to constriction and Muco-secretion
What can cause Extrinsic Asthma?
- Air pollution
- Allergen Exposure
- Genetics
- Hygiene Hypothesis
- Maternal Smoking
What can cause Intrinsic Asthma?
- Colds and Infections
2. Non-allergies
What features make Asthma diagnosis MORE likely?
- One of the following in episodes:
- Wheeze
- Breathlessness
- Chest Tightness
- Cough - Variability: Worse at night AND morning
- Triggered by
- Allergen
- Beta Blocker
- Cold Air
- Drugs (Aspirin)
- Exercise - Family history of Atopy/Asthma
- Low PEFR/FEV
What is the first step during diagnosing Asthma?
Test for Airway Obstruction
- Spirometry
- Bronchodilator Reversibility
How do we test for Variability?
- PEF Charting
2. Challenge Testing
How do we test for Eosinophilic Inflammation or ATOPY?
- FeNO
- Blood eosinophil test
- Skin-Prick Test
List Five Differential Diagnoses for Wheezing
- Asthma
- COPD
- Obstruction
- Pulmonary Oedema
- Anaphylaxis
What can we generally see in people with Asthma compared with COPD?
- Daily FEV1 variation
2. Reversibility
What can we generally see in people with COPD compared with Asthma?
- Older
- Smoker
- Sputum
Upon using a Bronchodilator, what is the diagnostic result after use for Asthmatics?
> 12% or 200 mL improvement in their FEV1
Upon performing a FENO test, what are we testing for and what is the result?
Marker for Eosinophilic Inflammation
> 40 parts per billion
What is Eosinophilic Asthma?
Phenotype of Asthma associated with Rise in NO in exhaled breath
Eosinophils use iNOS to make NO
What do we use for Direct Challenge Testing in Asthmatics?
Methacholine
What is the diagnostic result of Direct Challenge Testing?
Seeing the concentration needed to cause 20% fall in FEV1 of 8mg/ml or less
(PC20 - Provocation Concentration)
What is the Accuracy rate of FENO?
1 in 5 False Positive/Negative Rate
What is the Accuracy rate of DCT?
2/3rds with Positive will have asthma
How often do we use Peak Flow Variability testing?
Twice Daily over Two Weeks
Testing Diurnal Variation
What is the variability seen in Asthmatics during Peak Flow?
20%