Asthma in Adults

Question 1

How many people in the UK live with asthma?

Answer 1

5.4 million

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of asthma?

Answer 2

Immune mediated narrowing of airways
Can be spontaneous or in response to stimuli

Question 3

What is atopy?

Answer 3

The body’s predisposition to develop IgE in response to exposure to environmental allergens and is an inheritable trait.

Question 4

Symptoms?

Answer 4

Wheeze, SOB, chest tightness, cough, sputum

Question 5

What do you look for when investigating whether or not someone has asthma?

Answer 5

Evidence of airflow obstruction, variability and/or reversibility of airflow obstruction

Question 6

What investigations are appropriate?

Answer 6

If obstructed picture: full pulmonary function testing (excluding emphysema/COPD)

Carbon Monoxide gas transfer

Question 7

What constitutes severe acute asthma?

Answer 7

Any one of
- inability to complete sentences in one breath
- HR > 110
- RR > 25
- PEF > 33-50%

Question 8

What constitutes life threatening severe acute asthma?

Answer 8

Any one of
- grunting
- impaired consciousness, confusion, exhaustion
- bradycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension
- PEF < 33%
- cyanosis
- silent chest
- poor respiratory effort
- seats less than 92%

Question 9

What constitutes near fatal acute asthma?

Answer 9

Raised PaCO2
Need for mechanical ventilation

Question 10

What is the non pharmacological management for asthma?

Answer 10

Patient education and self management plans

Exercise
Smoking cessation
Weight management

Flu/pneumococcal vaccinations