A selection of publications with educational value in
Asthma
Most recently added articles listed first
- Benralizumab and mepolizumab treatment outcomes in two severe asthma clinics
(Figure 1 of 10.1111/resp.14578)
(Click image to enlarge)
David Langton, John Politis, Taya Collyer, Su-Wei Khung, Philip Bardin (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14578)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14578/full (December 2023)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Management of patients with severe asthma has dramatically changed in recent decades, and the use of anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibodies is recommended in patients with a history of exacerbations and elevated serum eosinophils. In this prospective study, the authors evaluate outcomes for two agents in patients from severe asthma clinics at two tertiary centres between January 2017 and July 2020. Both mepolizumab and benralizumab demonstrated improved Asthma Control Questionnaire scores, increase in forced expiratory volume in one second, reduction in exacerbation frequency and reduction in oral corticosteroid use. Benralizumab appears superior in terms of reduction in exacerbations and increase in FEV1 when compared with mepolizumab, while they had similar rates of non-response and adverse effects.20231113 - Supranormal lung function: Prevalence, associated factors and clinical manifestations across the lifespan
(Figure 3 of 10.1111/resp. 14553)
(Click image to enlarge)
Caspar Schiffers, Rosa Faner, Alina Ofenheimer, Owat Sunanta, Patricia Puchhammer, Tobias Mraz, Marie-Kathrin Breyer, Otto Chris Burghuber, Sylvia Hartl, Alvar AgustÃ, Robab Breyer-Kohansal (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14553)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14553/full (September 2023)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Supranormal spirometry values in an individual patient are of uncertain significance. In this report, authors evaluate an Austrian general population cohort to identify the prevalence of supranormal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrates that female sex, higher muscle mass, less diabetes, and fewer respiratory symptoms were all associated with supranormal spirometry results. Supranormal spirometry was associated with higher static lung volumes and lower specific airway resistance.20230822 
(Figure 1 of 10.1111/resp.14431)
(Click image to enlarge)Validation of the clinical utility of sGaw as a response variable in methacholine challenge testing Jacqueline Parker, Allison Tzeng, Shawn Wayne, Jeffrey M Haynes, Charles G Irvin, David A Kaminsky (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14431)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14431/full (December 2022)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Although reporting of bronchoprovocation testing relies heavily on a change in FEV1 following exposure to the provoking agent, it is plausible that other lung function parameters might provide additional information in the assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In this study, the authors performed lung volume estimation using body plethysmography as part of their protocol for methacholine challenge testing. They demonstrate that specific airway conductance (sGaw) is reduced in a substantial number of patients that did not achieve a reduction of 20% in FEV1, and suggest that incorporation of sGaw leads to a higher sensitivity for AHR.20230402- Contribution of obesity to breathlessness in a large nationally representative sample of Australian adults Yue Leon Guo, Maria R Ampon, Leanne M Poulos, Sharon R Davis, Brett G Toelle, Guy B Marks, Helen K Reddel (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14400)
(Figure 1 of 10.1111/resp.14400)
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14400/full (April 2023)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The clinical experience of investigating and managing dyspnoea in patients with obesity is often challenging: it can be hard to know how much a particular patient's dyspnoea relates to their body habitus and how much to underlying cardiopulmonary dysfunction. This study estimates the contribution of obesity to breathlessness using the estimated population attributable fraction (PAF). In almost ten thousand survey respondents, and after adjusting for common comorbid adjusting variables, the estimated PAF ranged between 20-25%. This finding has significant implications for health planning and medical education in light of increasing obesity rates worldwide.20230305 - Increased physical activity reduces sleep disturbances in asthma: A randomized controlled trial Natalia Febrini Passos, Patricia D Freitas, Regina Maria Carvalho-Pinto, Alberto Cukier, Celso R F Carvalho (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14359)
(Figure 4 of 10.1111/resp. 14359)
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14359/full (January 2023)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
In this randomised controlled trial of a forty-minute behavioural intervention once weekly for eight weeks in stable adult asthma patients, the authors report significant improvement in both asthma- and sleep-related outcomes. The intervention group achieved a substantial increase in their activity levels when compared with controls, with increases in daily step counts and the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, and reduction in sedentary time. Sleep efficiency and asthma control also improved. exposure to inhaled PM2.5 particles and lung adenocarcinoma is demonstrated, with increased levels of exposure associated with increased malignancy risk. Given the low rate of smoking in adult women in Taiwan (<5%), this data suggests another possible contributor to the development of adenocarcinoma in non-smoking women.20221208 - The needs and wellbeing of severe asthma and COPD carers: A cross-sectional study
Figure 2 of 10.1111/resp. 14167
(Click image to enlarge)
Eleanor C Majellano, Vanessa L Clark, Peter G Gibson, Juliet M Foster, Vanessa M McDonald
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14167/full (Feb 2022)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Caring for a patient with chronic medical conditions can be a significant burden for caregivers, and this study examines the degree and nature of those burdens in carers of patients with severe asthma and COPD. Although limited by its relatively homogeneous sample, the authors present important data that illustrate the physical and psychosocial impacts on caregivers. Further, the similarity between the impacts of caregiving in severe asthma when compared with carers of COPD patients suggests a potential unmet need for carers of severe asthma patients.20220202 -
Global Initiative for Asthma Strategy 2021: Executive Summary and Rationale for Key Changes Helen K Reddel, Leonard B Bacharier, Eric D Bateman, Christopher E Brightling, Guy G Brusselle, Roland Buhl, Alvaro A Cruz, Liesbeth Duijts, Jeffrey M Drazen, J Mark FitzGerald, Louise J Fleming, Hiromasa Inoue, Fanny W Ko, Jerry A Krishnan, Mark L Levy, Jiangtao Lin, Kevin Mortimer, Paulo M Pitrez, Aziz Sheikh, Arzu A Yorgancioglu, Louis-Philippe Boulet (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14174)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14174/full (Jan 2022)20220117 - Laryngeal hypersensitivity and abnormal cough response during mannitol bronchoprovocation challenge Joy Wei-Yan Lee, Tunn Ren Tay, Brigitte M Borg, Neha Sheriff, Anne Vertigan, Michael J Abramson and Mark Hew (DOI: 10.1111/resp.14165)
Figure 2 of 10.1111/resp. 14165
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.14165/full (Jan 2022)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Chronic cough presents a difficult diagnostic and management challenge, despite best practice guidelines and multidisciplinary treating teams. In this paper, the authors report on a cohort of patients presenting for mannitol bronchoprovocation testing for a variety of indications. Using the result of the mannitol challenge, cough frequency during testing and responses to the Newcastle.20211222 - Outcomes of protracted bacterial bronchitis in children: A five-year prospective cohort study Tom J C Ruffles, J M Marchant, I B Masters, S T Yerkovich, D Wurzel, P G Gibson, G Busch, K J Baines, J L Simpson, H C Smith-Vaughan, S J Pizzutto, H M Buntain, G Hodge, S Hodge, J W Upham and A B Chang (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13950)
Table 2 of 10.1111/resp.13950
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13950/full (Mar 2021)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The authors of this paper demonstrate that in the five years after an initial episode of protracted bacterial bronchitis, almost 70% of children have ongoing symptoms, 27% have clinician-diagnosed asthma and 10% have developed bronchiectasis. They identify children at particular risk of progression and recommend follow-up strategies to mitigate the future risk.20210222 - Acute effects of e-cigarette vaping on pulmonary function and airway inflammation in healthy individuals and in patients with asthma Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas, Athanasia Pataka, Kalliopi Domvri, Dionisios Spyratos, Paraskevi Katsaounou, Konstantinos Porpodis, Evangelia Fouka, Aikaterini Markopoulou, Katalin Passa-Fekete, Ioanna Grigoriou, Theodoros Kontakiotis, Paraskevi Argyropoulou and Despoina Papakosta
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13806/full (October 2020)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The rapid escalation in 'vaping' using electronic nicotine delivery devices has not yet been matched by data demonstrating their safety. In a cohort of asthmatic patients taking regular inhaled corticosteroids, acute markers of airway inflammation and pulmonary function changed within five minutes of e-cigarette vaping and this did not occur in healthy controls. The authors discuss the implications for future research in both healthy subjects and patients with pre-existing obstructive lung diseases.20200917 - Real-life effectiveness of inhaler device switch from dry powder inhalers to pressurized metred-dose inhalers in patients with asthma treated with ICS/LABA Hae-Sim Park, Dukyong Yoon, Hyun Young Lee, Ga-Young Ban, Simon Wan Yau Ming, Joanna Ling Zhi Jie, Victoria Carter, Antony Hardjojo, Job F M Van Boven and David B Price (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13559)
Table 4 of 10.1111/resp. 13559
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13559/full (Oct 2019)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
Selection of inhaler device is known to affect compliance in asthma patients. This study demonstrates that changing from one format to another can lead to significant improvement in outcomes and is generally accepted by the patients.20190916 - Disease burden of mild asthma in China Bo Ding and Mark Small (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13189)
Figure 1
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13189/full (Apr 2018)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The authors of this paper demonstrate that physician recognition of suboptimal asthma control is significant. They conclude that patients might be under-treated and experience a significant impact on quality of life and health.20180320 - Year in review 2017: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma Melissa J Benton, Tow Keang Lim, Fanny W S Ko, Keiko Kan-o, Judith C W Mak (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13285)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13285/full (Mar 2018)20180313 - Short-term respiratory effects of e-cigarettes in healthy individuals and smokers with asthma Andreas S Lappas, Anna S Tzortzi, Efstathia M Konstantinidi, Stephanie I Teloniatis, Chara K Tzavara, Sofia A Gennimata, Nikolaos G Koulouris and Panagiotis K Behrakis (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13180)
Table 1
(Click image to enlarge)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13180/full (Mar 2018)Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
The authors of this paper describe the immediate effects of e-cigarette inhalation in mild asthmatic patients and healthy smokers. Using impulse oscillometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels they demonstrate immediate effects which persisted longer in the asthmatic patients.20180215 Need for intensive care in patients admitted for asthma: Red flags from the social history. Moghaddas et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12831/full (Jun 2016)
(Editorial: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12870/abstract)20160915Persistence with inhaled corticosteroids reduces the risk of exacerbation among adults with asthma: A real-world investigation. Corrao et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12791/abstract (Apr 2016)20160819Increasing awareness of sex differences in airway diseases. Raghavan and Jain.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12702/abstract (Dec 2015)20160819Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure during a prolonged wildfire period and emergency department visits for asthma. Haikerwal et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12613/abstract (Sep 2015)
(FREE access: Editor's Choice)20160819Association between asthma and body mass index and socioeconomic status: A cross-sectional study on 849,659 adolescents. Gordon et al.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12645/abstract (Sep 2015)20160819
