Asthma Clinical Features Adults Flashcards
What causes the airways to become inflamed?
The immune system
What does the increased airway reactivity cause?
Airway narrowing - resulting spontaneously or from stimuli
What is the prevalence of asthma?
Children 10 - 15% M > F
Adults 5 - 10% F > M
What is atopy
Inherited tendency to develop IgE response to allergens
What are the genetic risk factors for asthma?
Strongest risk factor: personal, familial atopic tendency - Maternal atopy most influential (3x father)
What are the symptoms of Asthma?
Wheeze
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Cough
usually dry Sputum
What type of variation in asthma might help determine the trigger?
Daily variation- nocturnal/morning
Weekly variation- Occupation, weekends, Holidays
Annual Variation (environmental allergens)
What are essential investigation for asthma diagnosis?
Airflow obstruction
Variability and reversibility of airflow obstruction
What is the effect of maternal smoking on FEV1?
FEV1 ia reduced
What is the effect of maternal smoking on Wheezy illness, airway responsiveness, asthma and severity?
All increase
What is known as the Grandmother effect?
Grandchildren are far more likely to suffer from asthma if their grandmothers smoked while pregnant.
What are the three proven risk factors?
Smoking, genetic and occupation
What are possible risk factors for asthma?
Obesity,
diet,
reduced exposure to microbes/microbial products,
indoor pollution,
environmental allergens
What is body mass index positively associated with?
Asthma
Wheezing
Airway hyperactivity
what is the hygiene hypothesis
- Reduced exposure to microbes/ microbial products•
- Children born on farms less likely to develop asthma
Microbial diversity also important in reducing risk of asthma and allergy
What feature of the dust mite is allergenic?
Protease in droppings
What influence does affluence have on allergens?
Increases the likelihood of sensitisation to local allergens