Asthma Pharmacotherapy Flashcards
Asthma stats
1/11 US kids has asthma
1/12 US adults has asthma
Females>males
Young>old
Black children>white children
Low education/income>high ed/income
Asthma Characteristics
* Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway
* many cells and cellular components play a role (mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, epithelial cells)
* Inflammation leads to recurrent episodes of cough, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness
* Widespread, variable, reversible airflow obstruction
Pathophysiology of asthma
* Bronchoconstriction
* Airway hyperreactivity
* Edema
* airway obstruction/inflammation
Symptoms of Asthma
* wheezing
* cough
* difficulty breathing/SOB
* chest tightness
* worse sx @ night or certain situations
* exercise, viral infection, allergens, irritants, weather changes, emotions, stress, menstrual
Medical history
- -symptoms -pattern of symptoms
- -development of disease and treatment
- -family history
- -social history
- -history of exacerbations
- -impact of asthma on patient & family
- -assessment of patient perceptions of disease
- -precipitating and/or aggravating factors
Asthma Triggers
* Respiratory infections
* Environmental allergens (mold, house dust, cockroaches, animal dander, pollen)
* Smoking
* Exercise
* Occupational chemical
* Environmental changes
Physical Exam
Upper Respiratory tract
-increased nasal secretions, mucosal swelling, nasal polyps
Chest
-wheezing, hyperexpansion of thorax, use of accessory muscles (work hard to breathe)
Skin (atopic dermatitis, eczema)
Spirometry: FEV-1 & FVC
* FEV-1 = forced expiratory volume in 1 second
* FVC = forced vital capacity
* the amount of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible
Spirometry: FEV-1/FVC
FEV-1/FVC
* reduced in asthma ( 0.75-0.8 in adults and >0.9 in children
Spirometry: Positive bronchodilator reversibility test
increase from baseline in:
* FEV-1 > 200 mL
* FEV-1 increases > 12%
* after short acting beta agonist
* reversibility component is hallmark of asthma
Spirometry
* initial assessment
* after treatment has been started and symptoms have stabilized
* loss of asthma control
* every 1-2 years
Goals of Asthma Treatment
* Reduce impairment
-reduced symptoms, minimal need of rescue inhaler, few nighttime awakenings, optimal lung function, maintain normal daily activity
* Reduce Risk
-prevent exacerbations/need for hospitalization, prevent reduced lung growth in children/loss of lung fx in adults, optimize medications & minimize adverse effects
4 Components of Asthma Management
1) Assessment & monitoring
2) Medications (initiated based on severity, adjusted based on control)
3) Patient education
4) Control environmental factors & comorbid conditions
Routine Assessment/ Monitoring
1) Severity
- impairment, risk
2) Control
- impairment, risk
3) Responsiveness
- ease with which asthma control is achieved by therapy
Severity
* intensity of disease process
* used to initiate therapy
* severity is best measured in a patient NOT receiving long term control medication
* (ok if on SABA)
Assessment of Severity
* Impairment
-symptoms in the past week, nighttime awakenings, use of rescue medication, interference with physical activity, lung function
* Risk
-unexpected visits to doctor, emergency department, or hospitalizations
Medications: Quick relief medication
* Short acting beta agonists (SABAs)
* Short acting anticholinergics
* Systemic corticosteroids
Medications: Long term control meds
* Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
* Long acting beta agonists (LABAs)
* Cromolyn
* Leukotriene Modifiers
* Methylxanthines
* Immunomodulators
Asthma medication terminology
MDI = metered dose inhaler
HFA = hydrofluoroalkane (propellant)
DPI = dry powder inhaler
-spacer -nebulizer
Short acting beta-agonists (SABAs)
role in therapy:
- drug of choice for acute bronchospasm
- sole treatment for intermittent asthma
- therapy of choice for exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) (Albuterol, Levalbuterol)
SABAs: adverse effects/ considerations
* Adverse effects :
- tachycardia, tremor, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
- in general, inhaled route leads to few systemic side effects
* Therapeutic considerations:
-increase in use or lack of effect indicates diminished control of asthma, not for long term daily use, inhalation route is preferred, (some oral available), all patients with asthma should have SABA available
Anticholinergics
Role in therapy:
- drug of choice for bronchospasm due to beta-blocker medication
- alternative for patients intolerant to SABA
- used in combination w/ SABA during acute exacerbation (Ipatropium)
Anticholinergics: Adverse effects/ therapeutic considerations
* Adverse Effects:
- drying of mouth and respiratory secretions, blurred vision in eyes
- less cardiac stimulation than SABAs
* Therapeutic Considerations:
-increase in use or lack of effect indicates diminished control of asthma, not for long term daily use in asthma , does NOT work for EIB
Oral corticosteroids
role in therapy:
- short courses “bursts” used to establish control with initiation of therapy or during exacerbation
- may be used daily in severe persistent asthma (Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone)
Oral corticosteroids: adverse effects/ therapeutic considerations
* Adverse effects:
-short term use : glucose abnormalities, increased appetite, fluid retention, weight gain, facial flushing, mood changes, HTN, adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, skin thinning, growth suppression
* Therapeutic Considerations:
-burst should be continued until patient achieves 80% of peak expiratory flow or symptoms resolve, diff. doses for daily use, tapering ONLY w/ daily use
Inhaled corticosteroids
role in therapy:
-drug of choice for persistent asthma, long term prevention of symptoms, suppression, control, and reversal of inflammation (Beclomethasone, Budesonide, Flunisolide, Fluticasone, Mometasone, Triamcinolone)