Asthma Flashcards
What is the key prevention to asthma related deaths according to expert advocates
Patient education
Asthma Risk Factor: household
- Asthma history in the family
Asthma Risk Factor: birth and nursing
_ Caesarian Section
_ Formula feeding
Asthma risk factor: farm living
_ Sheep farming
_ pressed or loose hay
Asthma risk factor: Urban living
_ Altered dietary practices
_ Community associated infection
Asthma risk factor: microbiological exposure
_ Dysbiotic microbiota
_ Respiratory viral infection
_ Bacterial pathogens
_ Lower burden helmith infection
Asthma risk factor: lower socioeconomic status
_ Increased smoking rates
_ Higher stress
Asthma Risk factors: other environmental factors
_ Smoking
_ Obesity
_ Use of antibiotics
What are the major characteristics of asthma
- airflow obstruction: Bronchospasm, edema, mucous hypersecretion
- bronchial hyper-responsiveness
- airway inflammation
Pathophysiology of Asthma
- Basement membrane is inflamed and have mucus plug
- Inflammatory cells induce submucosal edema or inflammation
- Bronchoconstriction
- occurs in minutes
- mast cells
Immediate acute response
_ Submicosal edema, hyper-responsiveness
_ occurs in hours
_ inflammatory cells activation
Late acute response
- epithelial cell damage, mucus hypersecretion, hyper-responsiveness
- occurs within days
- eosinophils and lymphocytes
Chronic asthma
Forced vital capacity
Volume of air that can be forcibly blown out after full inspiration
Forced expiratory volume one
Forced expiratory volume in one second
How is FEV1 represented
Percentage of the predicted
Spirometry
Measures FVC and FEV1
Peak expiatory flow
Measures maximum flow of an expelled in one forceful breath out in L/min
Used in conjunction with asthma action plan
Measures highest of 3 readings
Peak expiatory flow
What is the control-based asthma management cycle
Assess
Adjust
Review response
How is asthma symptoms graded
Intermittent to chronic
True/False: Asthma is always wheezing and wheezing is always asthma
False
How is asthma diagnosed
Patient history
Airway obstruction reversibility following SABA
What are the long-term management goals for asthma
Reduce impairment and risk:
Prevent chronic symptoms
Require infrequent SABA use
Maintain normal lung function and activity
Prevent exercebation
Minimize need for emergency care
Minimize ADR of therapy
Steps to asthmas diagnosis
Detailed history and examination for asthma
Perform spirometry and reversibility test
Confirm diagnosis
Treat for asthma
What is the normal FEV1/FVC ratio in healthy adults and children
Adults > 0.75-0.80
Children > 0.85
What is the bronchodilator reversibility and what is it used for
FEV1 increasing by > 200ml and > 12% of the baseline value after a bronchodilators
Used for asthma diagnosis
What FEV1/FVC ratio value used for asthma diagnosis
< 70%
What is another indication for asthma looking at the FEV1
FEV1 increasing by > 200ml and > 12% of the baseline value after 4 weeks anti inflammatory treatment
How is asthma symptom severity assessment classified?
Well controlled
Partly controlled
Uncontrolled
When is symptoms considered controlled?
Daytime Sx > 2x/week
Nighttime asthma waking
SABA needed > 2x/week
Any activity limitation due to asthma
No to any of the above
When is symptoms considered partly controlled?
Daytime Sx > 2x/week
Nighttime asthma waking
SABA needed > 2x/week
Any activity limitation due to asthma
Yes to 1 or 2 of the above
When is symptoms considered uncontrolled?
Daytime Sx > 2x/week
Nighttime asthma waking
SABA needed > 2x/week
Any activity limitation due to asthma
Yes to 3 or 4 of the above
GINA guideline for asthma control therapy:
symptoms less than twice a month
Preferred controller and reliever:
ICS-Formoterol prn
GINA guideline for asthma control therapy:
symptoms twice a month or more but less than daily
Preferred controller:
Low dose ICS daily
Or
Low dose ICS-formoterol prn
Preferred reliever:
Low dose ICS-formoterol prn
GINA guideline for asthma control therapy:
Symptoms most days
Waking with asthma once a week or more
Preferred controller:
Low dose ICS-LABA
Preferred reliever:
Low dose ICS-Formoterol
GINA guideline for asthma control therapy:
Symptoms most days
Waking with asthma once a week or more
Low lung function ( PEF < 80%)
Preferred controller:
Medium dose ICS-LABA
Preferred reliever:
Low dose ICS-Formoterol prn
When can oral corticosteroids be added to asthma therapy
When patient has severe uncontrolled asthma
PEF < 60%
What is the characteristics of metered dose
Contain medication + propellant
Delivers 5-50% of actuated dose
Must be shaken
Slow, deep inspiratory flow
What is the characteristics of dry powder inhalers?
Its breath actuated
Does not require hand-breath coordination to operate
Inspiratory flow is deep and forceful
Which group of patients should use spacers
Patient using metered dosing inhalers
What is the benefit of spacers
Decreases oropharyngeal deposition
Can help decrease side effect: hoarseness and thrush
How should spacers be cared for
Wash weekly with dilute detergent
Single rinse
Drip dry
Albuterol and Levalbuterol
SABA reliever
Symbicort ( budesonide + formoterol )
ICS + formoterol reliever