Articles tagged with Asthma
A study of 38,679 hospitalized children with asthma found obesity to be a risk factor for repeated hospital admissions and longer stays. Those who were obese required more intensive care and had higher total hospitalization costs compared to normal-weight children.
Taking oral vitamin D supplements alongside standard asthma medication may halve the risk of severe asthma attacks that require hospital care. Research found a 30% reduction in steroid treatment and a 50% decrease in hospitalizations due to asthma exacerbations.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found that TRPV1 protein plays a critical role in airway disease through mucus production, cough reflex stimulation and airway narrowing. The study suggests that targeting this protein may lead to new strategies to reduce the impact of RSV infections in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.
A large epidemiological study conducted in Québec found no link between the BCG vaccine and childhood asthma. The research team analyzed data from a comprehensive vaccination registry and public health records, adjusting for various confounders to ensure accurate findings.
A large study found that steroid inhalers used to treat asthma and COPD in people over 66 increase the risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria infections. The study suggests that these infections are chronic, difficult to treat, and associated with an increased risk of death.
A new NIH-funded study finds that children exposed to high indoor levels of pet or pest allergens during infancy have a lower risk of developing asthma by age 7. The study suggests that exposure to certain allergens early in life may prevent asthma from developing, and may provide clues for the design of strategies to prevent asthma.
A study found neuropsychiatric reactions like depression and aggression associated with montelukast in both children and adults. Clinicians should discuss potential adverse events, especially nightmares in kids, when prescribing this asthma medication.
Scientists identified a compound, FR, that provides long-lasting airway relaxation and prevents hyperreactivity in mouse models of asthma. The locally administered compound also blocks aspects of airway remodeling without causing cardiovascular side effects.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new compound extracted from coralberry leaves that effectively relieves bronchial spasms and may be more effective than common asthma medication salbutamol. The study was conducted in mice, but further human trials are needed before its application.
The project aims to tackle one of the root causes of asthma flare-ups: substandard housing conditions that play host to a range of asthma triggers. IMPACT DC has targeted kids and families disconnected from primary care, increasing school attendance and decreasing Emergency Department visits.
Non-obese individuals with asthma may benefit from a healthy diet and regular exercise to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Studies have shown that exercise combined with a low-GI diet can lead to significant improvements in symptom control, with patients reporting a 50% reduction in asthma symptom scores on average.
Research finds that women with asthma are more likely to receive fertility treatment, suggesting improved asthma control may enhance pregnancy. The study's findings do not prove a causal link but encourage future investigations into the relationship between asthma and fertility.
A study of 1.5 million children found that those with asthma were 1.6 times more likely to be prescribed antibiotics than those without asthma. This could be due to mistaken asthma symptoms for a bacterial infection or preventative use, despite guidelines against it.
New research links respiratory tract infections in young children to an increased risk of asthma and worse lung function in later life. Children who had lower respiratory tract infections between 6 months and 5 years old had a two- to four-fold increased risk of developing asthma.
Research suggests that children with asthma who live closer to parks experience fewer days of symptoms, especially older children who can independently visit parks. The study found a correlation between proximity to green spaces and lower asthma symptom rates.
According to a recent report, 8.1% of seniors in the US are food insecure, with some states experiencing significantly higher rates. The top 10 states for senior food insecurity rates include those in the South and Northeast, highlighting regional disparities in access to nutritious food.
Researchers have identified the best ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children with and without asthma. Effective treatments include pharmacological interventions and practical preventative methods such as wearing face masks and selecting warmer exercises.
A study of 960 children found that breastfeeding lowers the risk of asthma exacerbations later in life. Breastfeeding may influence the immune system and gut microbiome, which can indirectly affect asthma development.
Researchers at the University of Bergen have found that asthma medicine can halve a patient's risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study analyzed over 100 million Norwegian prescriptions and discovered a link between asthma medicine and reduced Parkinson's risk.
A research team led by Deborah Ellis aims to improve asthma management and reduce deaths among minority children, with a focus on African American adolescents. The project will test an adapted intervention, REACH for Control, in real-world settings.
A study published in JAMA found that oral steroid prednisolone did not reduce symptom duration or severity in nonasthmatic adults with acute lower respiratory tract infections. The study randomly assigned 401 adults to receive either prednisolone or a placebo for five days, but no significant treatment effects were observed.
A new study published in JAMA found that oral steroids do not reduce the duration or severity of symptoms in non-asthmatic adults with acute chest infections. Researchers compared 398 participants who received prednisolone for five days to those receiving a placebo, and found no significant difference in symptom improvement.
The study found that COPD is largely caused by smoking and air pollution, while asthma's causes are less clear but include smoking and allergens. Interventions can prevent or treat both diseases, but many cases go undiagnosed or undertreated.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a 'checkpoint' manned by immune cells that can halt allergic disease development. This discovery provides a potential new target for drug developers to regulate overly aggressive allergic responses.
A study of over 3000 asthma patients in Australia and New Zealand found that while more expensive medication was used in Australia, similar treatment outcomes were achieved despite better adherence to medication in the cheaper-medicine country. The findings suggest that policy differences play a significant role in asthma management.
A study by the University of Manchester found that a pharmacy service, launched in 2011, improves patient medicine adherence and translates to increased health gain at reduced overall cost. The New Medicine Service has saved NHS England £517.6m in its first five years.
A new technology analyzes lung sounds in children to predict asthma attack symptoms and identify asymptomatic kids at high risk. The approach was useful in a study of 70 severely asthmatic children.
Experts recommend a physical and breathing exam, comprehensive health history, and trigger questionnaires to diagnose asthma. Effective treatment also involves spirometry testing, medication management, and written action plans to control symptoms and prevent future attacks.
Researchers found a link between physical injuries and chronic conditions, including angina, heart attack, asthma, and non-neoplastic lung disease. The study suggests that continued monitoring is warranted for survivors of the 9/11 attacks.
A recent study by the University of Zurich found that exposure to sialic acid from farm animals can prevent asthma in children. This protective effect is due to an anti-inflammatory response triggered by regulatory T-cells, which dampen incorrect immune responses.
Researchers have discovered that corticosteroids, a main treatment for asthma, can actually exacerbate the disease in certain cases. The study found that high levels of inflammatory protein CXCL10 and interferon-gamma are linked to poor lung function and worsening symptoms.
A school-based intervention that administers morning doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) to children with persistent asthma has shown improved adherence and quality-of-life outcomes. The study, published in the Journal of Asthma, found that 90% of participants received their prescribed morning doses through school administration.
A new therapy developed through stem cell technology has shown promise in treating chronic asthma by reducing inflammation and reversing airway remodeling. The study, led by Monash University scientists, found that induced pluripotent stem cells could effectively treat fibrosis and lung dysfunction associated with asthma.
Researchers from Swansea University highlight the need for improved reporting of asthma diagnosis and events in electronic health records. The study found wide variations in methods across studies, compromising validity and reproducibility.
A study suggests that peer-led self-management programmes have limited effect on adolescents' asthma symptoms and health outcomes, highlighting the need for new approaches to address their unique challenges.
Researchers have successfully 'turned off' the immune response that causes allergic reactions in animals using gene therapy. The treatment, which targets specific immune cells, has shown promise in de-sensitizing the immune system to proteins, potentially treating severe allergies like asthma and peanut allergies.
Community pharmacist-led interventions have been shown to significantly improve asthma control in patients, with a 76% increase in achieving good control compared to standard care. The economic benefits of these interventions are also substantial, with estimated annual savings of €72 billion in the European Union.
A new medicine, benralizumab, has shown promising results in reducing oral steroid use in severe asthma patients. The trial demonstrated that patients treated with benralizumab were more than four times likely to reduce their usage of oral corticosteroids.
A new study found that bronchial thermoplasty (BT) significantly reduces severe exacerbations, hospitalizations, and ER visits in adults with severe, persistent asthma. After two years of treatment, patients experienced long-term improvement in their asthma control and reduced their need for medication.
A new study found that children exposed to high levels of outdoor particulate air pollution during pregnancy and high maternal stress were more likely to develop asthma by age six. Boys were particularly affected, possibly due to slower lung maturation and increased risk of oxidative stress.
The graphene-based sensor accurately measures nitrite in exhaled breath condensate, providing a promising biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory tract. This innovation has the potential to improve asthma management, prevent hospitalizations, and reduce deaths worldwide.
A new investigational biologic, benralizumab, has shown promise in reducing the need for adults with severe asthma to take oral corticosteroids. The study found that patients enrolled in either of the benralizumab arms had a significant reduction in prednisone use and annual exacerbation rates compared to those receiving a placebo.
The UK has produced its first hay fever map, revealing areas with high concentrations of allergenic plants. The maps will help those with allergies and asthma plan their activities to reduce exposure.
A proof-of-principle study found that imatinib improved airway hyperresponsiveness and decreased mast cell presence in patients with severe asthma. Treatment also showed a small improvement in airway function.
A new study found that stress-mitigation interventions for parents of children with asthma had no impact on reducing asthma symptoms in kids. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines provided significant improvements in symptom-free days and overall health outcomes.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that genetic alterations associated with lower vitamin D levels do not predispose individuals to asthma, atopic dermatitis, or high IgE levels. The researchers looked at data from over 100,000 individuals and found no statistically significant difference between rates of these conditions.
A new European Respiratory Society roadmap identifies key areas for investment to address the impact of asthma on individuals, healthcare systems, and economies. The document outlines 15 research priorities to improve mortality and morbidity rates, including primary care, triggers, personalised medicine, and self-management.
The National Institutes of Health is finding solutions to improve the health of nearly 25 million Americans with asthma. Research funded by NIEHS, NHLBI, and NIAID has demonstrated the importance of healthy school environments and explored the complex role of the immune system in asthma.
Disparities in pediatric readmission rates for chronic conditions such as asthma, depression, diabetes, migraines, and seizures have been found to vary by condition and race. The study highlights the need to personalize care and address socioeconomic factors to reduce these disparities.
Researchers used extensive interviewing and focus group methods to explore asthma treatment goals. A three-step qualitative process identifies patient-relevant concepts, ranks them, and refines assessment questions for concept measurement. The study suggests assessing symptom improvement, medication access, medication use, and asthma k...
A study of over 152,000 asthma patients found that current use of inhaled corticosteroids significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia. The highest risks were observed with higher doses of fluticasone-equivalent and budesonide.
A new study from University of Georgia researchers aims to identify wind magnitudes commonly associated with thunderstorm asthma outbreaks. By cross-referencing forecast modeling tools, the study may help anticipate significant thunderstorms and alert public health officials about potential triggers.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center discovered a small molecular compound, RCM-1, that blocks the transcription factor FOXM1 and its pro-inflammatory activity in asthma. The compound prevented overproduction of mucous-generating goblet cells and reduced lung inflammation.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that air pollution directly causes inflammation in the nasal and sinus tissues of mice. The researchers exposed mice to polluted air for 16 weeks, showing increased white blood cells and biomarkers of inflammation.
The MyAsthma app is a smartphone tool that allows users to track and manage their asthma. It captures environmental data, tracks symptoms, and provides access to clinically validated tests to monitor asthma control. The app has the potential to improve asthma self-management, reducing attacks, hospital admissions, and healthcare visits.
Nearly half of secondary schoolchildren with asthma are not controlling their symptoms optimally, and nearly a third experience discomfort using inhalers. The study calls for increased clinical monitoring and targeted interventions to address poor asthma control in UK schools.
A review of 270 studies found that supported self-management helps people with asthma take control of their own illness, reducing symptoms and hospital admissions. Tailored support can improve quality of life and prevent deaths, experts say.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that city living can worsen asthma in poor children, with urbanization and black race being strong independent risk factors for increased asthma morbidity. The study analyzed data from over 16 million children enrolled in Medicaid between 2009-2010.
A new study reveals that 'preventable' asthma attacks among schoolchildren in Houston result in significant healthcare costs. The researchers found a strong link between asthma incidents and schools on the city's east side, with African-American children comprising the largest percentage of cases.
The Asthma Mobile Health Study demonstrates a successful, large-scale participant enrollment approach using iPhones and the Apple ResearchKit framework. The study collected rich research data from thousands of individuals, providing a comprehensive view of 'real-world' patterns of disease, wellness, and behavior.