Asthma Facts Flashcards
How many Canadians have asthma?
8.4% (3.8 Million) Higher chance in children & females
How many asthmatics have their symptoms under control?
1/3
Asthma is:
A chronic condition
Recurring respiratory symptoms
Associated with chronic inflammation
Airway hyperresponsiveness that is normally reversable
What are the risk factors for hospitalization due to asthma?
- Hospital admission in the last 2 years
- > 8puffs of rescue medication in past 24hrs
- Lower socioeconomic status
What are some factors that affect QoL for asthmatic children?
- Sleeping difficulties
- Severity of attacks
- School absenteeism
What is the natural history of asthma?
Genetic disposition & Environmental exposure leads to TH2 cell response leading to Chronic inflammation & Airway remodeling that leads to Symptom Complex
What are the two main factors of transient wheeze in children less than 2?
RSV & Maternal smoking
How many URTI per year do children 5 and under get?
6-8
Asthmatic Airways
airway remodeling due to activation of the EMTU (epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit) reduces responsiveness, increase in immune cells (mast cells, eosinophils, T-helper 2 cells)
Atopy
is the tendency to produce an exaggerated IgE immune response. (Allergic response)
Factors favouring TH1 phenotype
- Rural Environment
- Older Siblings
- Daycare
- TB, Measles, or Hep A infection
Factors favouring TH2 phenotype
- Antibiotic use
- Western lifestyle & diet
- Sensitization to house dust mites, cockroaches
- Urban environment
What is the hygiene hypothesis?
When we are born our immune system is skewed towards TH2 cytokine generation. With exposure to environmental stimuli such as infections, will activate TH1 to bring the relationship between them back to a balance. If children are not exposed to stimuli then it is thought that it promotes IgE antibodies (made from TH2 cells) to key allergens thus increasing the risk of asthma.
Prevalence of Asthma
As children males > females, as adults Females>Males
What happens with airway remodeling?
thickening of walls, increase smooth muscle mass, mucus hypersecretion leading to mucus plugs, increase # & size of blood vessels which can compress adjacent airways
- decreased response to treatment over time, occurs early in asthmatic airways, is the main reason why airway function may not be reversible over time.
Asthma & Eosinophils
Increased eosinophils in sputum, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage tissue and airway tissue
Asthma & Mast Cells
Increase mast cells = increased hyperresponsiveness
(mast cells release histamine, lukotrienes, prostaglandin D2) Roles in exercise induced asthma
Asthmas & Lymphocytes
Increase in T lymphocytes which releases cytokines which increases eosinophilic inflammation which increases IgE (produced by B lympocytes) which causes airway hyperresponsiveness
Inflammatory Mediators involved in athma
- Chemokines
- Cytokines
- Cysteinyl leukotrienes
- Histamine
- Nitric oxide
- Prostaglandin D2
What mediator, if inhibited will improve lung function and asthma symptoms?
Cysteinyl leukotrienes
What % of children who wheeze experience wheezing in adolescence?
60%
Aeroallergens that cause asthma are:
- Perennial Aeroallergens: Dander, urine, feces, saliva from animals, dust mites, cockroach, molds
- Seasonal Aeroallergens: <10um in size trees, grasses, weeds
- Smoke (Cig & Cannabis)
- Viruses (Rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza, parainfluenza, RSV, Adenovirus & metapneumovirus
- Bacteria (S. pneumoniae, S. aures, M. catarrhalis,
H. influenzae/parainfluenzae
What is an aeroallergen?
Airborne substance that results in IgE mediated allergic response
What is an IgE mediated allergic response?
TH2 recruitment, Mast cell activation, eosinophil influx
What is an AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) of 1-3 mean?
Low-Good
What is an AQHI of 4-6 mean?
Moderate-Consider rescheduling
What is an AQHI of 7-10 mean?
High-Reschedule
What is an AQHI of 10+ mean?
Very High- Avoid
What are non allergic inhaled irritants?
smoke, strong odours (perfumes), particulates (chalk dust, talcum powder), fumes (cleaning products, paints etc), exhaust, ozone
What are the medications that can trigger asthma symptoms?
- ASA
- NSAIDS
- Beta Blockers