Asthma

Question 1

Use of which drug class has proven to drop mortality caused by asthma?

Answer 1

Inhaled Steroids

Question 2

What are the 3 components to asthma pathology?

Answer 2

1. Smooth Muscle Dysfunction
2. Airway Inflammation
3. Airway Remodeling

Question 3

What is the difference between the acute and chronic inflammatory responses in asthma?

Answer 3

Acute: bronchial hyperreactivity, mucosal edema, increased airway secretions

Chronic: increased inflammatory cell numbers, epithelial damage

Question 4

Which inflammatory mediators are secreted by Th1 vs. Th2 cells?

Answer 4

1: INF-gamma and leukotrienes
2: IL-4,5,9,10,13

Question 5

Major cell type that releases histamine in asthma.

Answer 5

Mast Cells

-line the airways

Question 6

How do IgE blockers treat chronic asthma?

Answer 6

Decrease immune cell activation and survival time

mostly eosinophils

Question 7

Why do patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis have to be careful taking ASA when they also have asthma?

Answer 7

Prostaglandins can serve as vasodilators in pulmonary vasculature helping patients with asthma oxygenate their blood. ASA prevents PG formation.

Question 8

Describe the 4 NAEEP classifications of asthma severity.

Answer 8

Asthma Attack Episodes
Mild Intermittent: less than 2 days/week and/or less than 2 nights/month

Mild Persistent: more than 2 days/week and/or more than 2 nights/month

Moderate Persistent: occurs daily and/or more than one night/week

Severe Persistant: constant symptoms during the day and frequent episodes at night

Question 9

Most effective long term drug class for treating asthma.

Answer 9

Inhaled Steroids