Asthma

Question 1

What is asthma?

Answer 1

Chronic inflammation of airways

Question 2

What are the types of asthma?

Answer 2

Infant onset
Childhood onset
Adult onset
Exertional asthma
Occupational asthma

Question 3

What is the pathology of asthma?

Answer 3

Type I hypersensitivity
Excessive reaction from TH2
Mast cell degranulation induces inflammation in the airways and bronchial constriction

Question 4

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Answer 4

Wheeze
Dyspnoea
Cough
Tight chest
Diurnal

Question 5

What are the signs of asthma?

Answer 5

Low PEFR
FEV1/FVC<70%
Wheeze
Hyperinflated chest
Breathless on exertion

Question 6

What are asthma triggers?

Answer 6

Exercise
Cold air
Smoke
Perfume
URTI
Pets
Pollen
Aspirin

Question 7

What investigations are done for asthma diagnosis?

Answer 7

Spirometry
Bronchodilator response with spirometry
FeNO
Peak flow metre

Question 8

What is moderate asthma?

Answer 8

Complete sentences
HR<110
RR<25
PEF 50-75%
PaO2>8kPa

Question 9

What is severe asthma?

Answer 9

Can’t complete sentences in one breath
HR>110
RR>25
PEF 33-50%
PaO2>8kPa

Question 10

What is life threatening asthma?

Answer 10

Grunting
Impaired consciousness
Cyanosis
Silent chest
PEF<33%
Hypotension
Poor resp. effort
PaO2<8kPa

Question 11

What is near fatal asthma?

Answer 11

Raised PaCO2
Require mechanical intervention

Question 12

What does SANE stand for?

Answer 12

Measures asthma severity:
- SABA/ week
- Absence from school
- Nocturnal symptoms/ week
- Exertional symptoms/week

Question 13

What is the non-pharmacological management of asthma?

Answer 13

Patient education
Exercise
Smoking cessation
Vaccines

Question 14

What is the pharmacological management of asthma?

Answer 14

SABA, LABA, SAMA, LAMA
LRAs- montelukast
Xanthines- Theophylline
Corticosteroids- beclomethasone