Articles tagged with Asthma
A study found that higher body mass index (BMI) and fat mass are associated with an increased risk of asthma in mid-childhood. The research, published in PLOS Medicine, used Mendelian randomization to assess the causal effect of BMI on childhood asthma.
A study of 50 returning veterans found that non-specific respiratory symptoms were common, with evidence of airway hyperreactivity in 36% of patients. Underlying mental health and sleep disorders were present in 66% of the patients. Airway hyperreactivity was seen in both asthma and nonspecific cases.
A study by Duke University researchers found a strong association between improved air quality and declining death rates from emphysema, asthma, and pneumonia in North Carolina. The study analyzed data from 1993-2010 and found that reductions in sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulates were significantly correlated with l...
A University of Michigan study found that occasional mowing creates conditions for ragweed to thrive, while leaving vacant lots unmowed reduces hay fever triggers. The researchers recommend regular or no mowing to reduce ragweed pollen exposure.
A comprehensive genetic study of the Mexican population identified tremendous genetic diversity reflecting thousands of years of separation, explaining health factors such as differing rates of breast cancer and asthma. The study provides an explanation for misdiagnoses and incorrect treatment based on ethnic heritage.
A new study confirms that children who live in homes with high levels of roach and mouse allergens and pollutants have higher overall allergy and asthma rates. However, those who encounter such substances before their first birthdays seem to benefit rather than suffer from them.
A NIH-funded study found that early life exposure to specific combinations of allergens and bacteria protects against wheezing and allergic disease. The Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma (URECA) study revealed that cockroach, mouse, and cat exposure during the first year of life is associated with a lower risk of recurrent wheezing.
Researchers discovered that statins can alter the inflammatory response to rhinovirus, a common cause of the cold, in individuals with asthma. This finding suggests that statins may help prevent or reduce asthma symptoms resulting from colds, and could lead to further research into novel asthma control strategies.
A new study found that reminders and feedback significantly improve medication adherence among asthma patients, leading to better asthma control. The study used an electronic inhaler monitor to track patient behavior and compared the effects of two interventions: daily reminders and personalized discussions with doctors.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that high gamma-tocopherol levels, found in soybean, corn, and canola oils, are associated with decreased lung function and increased asthma risk. In contrast, alpha-tocopherol, found in olive and sunflower oils, is linked to better lung function.
A study of over 1,000 mother-child pairs found that maternal intake of folate and other methyl donors during the first trimester was associated with a lower risk of childhood asthma. Only dietary vitamin B12 and choline were linked to reduced asthma prevalence.
A study found that exposure to particulate air pollution during the second trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of developing asthma in early childhood, particularly among non-obese mothers. The research suggests that timing of exposure may be crucial in understanding this relationship.
Parents in low-income families with lower health insurance cost-sharing were less likely to delay or avoid taking their children to see a doctor. Many parents also reduced medication use and delayed visits due to financial stress, affecting their child's asthma care and control.
A new study found that vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the rate of treatment failure or exacerbation of symptoms in adults with persistent asthma and low vitamin D levels. The study suggests that therapeutic vitamin D3 supplementation may not be an effective strategy for improving outcomes in patients with symptomatic asthma.
Research at Washington University School of Medicine found that vitamin D supplements had a limited benefit for asthma treatment. Patients who achieved sufficient blood levels of vitamin D showed improved asthma control, including reduced treatment failures and asthma attacks.
A real-world study evaluating the benefit of treating asthma with small particle treatments like QVAR compared to larger particle treatments revealed interesting differences in asthma exacerbation outcome rates. The study found that initiating dosing with small versus large particle ICS treatments can impact asthma control rates.
A new study found that repeated preschool wheezing can lead to long-term damage in lung function by the age of 6 years. Children with recurrent symptoms are particularly at risk, even if asthma symptoms seem to disappear temporarily. The study suggests that early intervention and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids may prevent this ...
Researchers at UH Rainbow will evaluate treatment guidelines for African American children and young adults with asthma, exploring differences in response to asthma therapies compared to Caucasians. The study aims to identify the best add-on therapy based on patient age.
Researchers discovered microRNA-10a regulates human airway smooth muscle cell growth and inhibits PI3 kinase, a master regulator of cell proliferation. This finding offers a new approach to treating both asthma-induced muscle thickening and cancerous tumor growth.
The Lancet and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine publish review articles on outdoor air pollution, asthma genetics, and preschool wheeze diagnosis to improve asthma control, prognosis, and personalized treatment approaches.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has developed a faster, cheaper and more accurate tool for diagnosing even mild cases of asthma. The handheld technology uses neutrophil cell function in a single drop of blood to diagnose asthma.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified SGK1 enzyme as a potential target for treating asthma and boosting the effects of certain cancer therapies. The enzyme's role in regulating immune system T cells suggests that blocking it could inhibit asthma symptoms and enhance cancer treatment.
A new study finds that air pollution from traffic dramatically increases the odds of hospital readmission for asthma among white children. In contrast, black children were not found to have increased risk despite having higher rates of asthma readmission overall.
Banning smoking in public places has been shown to cut premature births by 10% globally, according to a comprehensive study published in The Lancet. The research also found a 10% fall in hospital attendances for childhood asthma attacks in regions with anti-smoking laws.
A computer program has identified various subtypes of asthma, including one associated with poor quality of life and depression in obese women. The analysis used machine learning algorithms to track 112 variables for nearly 400 people, leading to potential personalized treatments.
Research reveals that preterm birth increases the risk of asthma and wheezing disorders, with a 70% higher risk among preterm babies compared to full-term infants. Children born before 32 weeks gestation face approximately three times the risk.
Researchers at San Diego State University will develop tailored asthma management strategies and community programs to improve control and minimize complications among Latino children. The project aims to address disparities in asthma care, informing a more culturally appropriate approach to treatment.
The trial will examine effectiveness of different doses of inhaled corticosteroids with or without long-acting beta agonists in 500 African American patients aged 5 and older. Researchers aim to identify the most effective combination of medications and dosing regimens to manage asthma symptoms.
Children exposed to cigarette smoke at home have lower levels of the enzyme HDAC2, which is required for steroid treatment to exert its beneficial effects. This reduces their ability to respond to asthma treatment, leading to increased symptoms and potentially higher doses of steroids.
A new study found that financial and social hardships are a major contributor to hospital asthma readmissions among black children. Nearly 23% of black children were re-admitted within a year, compared to 11% of white children.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies found that preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma and wheezing disorders during childhood. Children born before 32 weeks of gestation were nearly three times as likely to develop these conditions compared to those born at full term.
A quality improvement initiative in a primary care setting improved asthma control and outcomes for high-risk teenagers through standardized care, self-monitoring, and care coordination. The study showed significant improvements in patients' chronic asthma not well-controlled, with increased adherence to treatment.
Researchers found that rare gene variants significantly increased the risk of hospital admission for severe asthma episodes and urgent outpatient visits among patients treated with long-acting beta agonists. Non-Hispanic whites with these variants were more than twice as likely to experience uncontrolled symptoms during LABA therapy.
A study published in Infection and Immunity reveals that Salmonella infection can reduce asthma inflammation by regulating immune cells. Researchers hope to develop treatments based on probiotics or therapeutic applications of myeloid cells.
Research at Columbia University Medical Center found obese children are nearly three times as likely to develop asthma when exposed to high levels of air pollutants. Rates of childhood obesity and asthma have increased dramatically over the past 30 years, with urban minority populations disproportionately affected.
A new study found that high levels of depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of developing adult-onset asthma in African-American women. Women with depressive symptom scores of 16 or higher had a two-fold increase in asthma incidence compared to those with lower scores.
A new study finds that exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in the car increases the odds of children being readmitted to the hospital within a year of being admitted for asthma. Cotinine levels measured in the blood and saliva of over 600 children showed a significant correlation between tobacco exposure and increased risk of futur...
Researchers found that younger, less experienced runners are more prone to injuries, while stress fractures are relatively rare. Ultrarunners also showed a high incidence of asthma and allergies, which may be linked to increased outdoor exposure.
Research teams at Group Health Research Institute have been awarded funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to study opioid therapy and asthma. The studies aim to improve patient outcomes and provide informed decision-making for patients with chronic pain and asthma, particularly in minority groups.
A recent study suggests that exposure to dust from homes with dogs can alter the immune response to allergens, reducing allergic inflammation. The researchers found that mice fed dog-associated dust were protected against airway inflammation triggered by cockroach allergen and respiratory syncytial virus.
A study found that the prevalence of atopy, a predisposition towards allergic reactions, jumped from 7% to 20% in villages in southwest Poland between 2003 and 2012. Exposure to farm animals, especially at a young age, is thought to protect against developing allergies.
Severe asthma is defined as requiring high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller medication. The new guideline aims to improve diagnosis and treatment options for this condition, which accounts for less than 10% of all asthmatics but has the greatest healthcare burden.
A recent study has identified MUC5B as a key protein involved in various lung-related ailments, including MRSA infections and cystic fibrosis. The protein helps control certain infections by coating airway surfaces in the nose and lungs.
A new study led by Meghan Azad found that probiotics have no effect on preventing childhood asthma. However, the research did identify a potential association between probiotics and lower respiratory infections in babies who received them as infants or in utero.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that bronchial thermoplasty reduces severe asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits, medication use, and missed workdays for at least 5 years. The treatment also shows stable rates of respiratory adverse events and respiratory-related hospitalizations.
Researchers at University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health study show that a combination asthma therapy does not harm British Columbians, contradicting FDA safety concerns. The study, covering 46,000 people over 15 years, found no statistically significant increase in hospitalization rates for users.
A novel gene variant associated with severe childhood asthma has been discovered through a genome-wide association study. The study found that the CDHR3 gene is particularly active in epithelial cells lining airways and may disrupt normal functioning, leading to increased risk of asthma.
An international team of researchers has identified the genes that put children at high risk of severe asthma attacks, which can be prevented and treated with more effective medicine. The study found a new gene called CDHR3 to play a key role in the development of asthma.
Research from Bispebjerg University Hospital in Denmark found that women with asthma took longer to conceive compared to those without. The study revealed a higher proportion of prolonged time to pregnancy among asthmatic women, particularly those with untreated asthma.
Researchers suggest that specific parts of food can be safe for consumption in individuals with food allergies, and substitutes can be eaten safely. For example, someone with an egg allergy may be able to tolerate egg yolk but not the whites.
A study by Timothy Craig, MD, found that allergy shots decrease anxiety and depression in those allergic to wasp, bee, and ant stings. Allergy shots are the only treatment known to modify disease progression, making them life-saving for severe allergy sufferers.
A new study suggests that asthma inhalers with dose counters can significantly reduce emergency room visits by 55 percent. The study found that patients who use these inhalers are more likely to know if they have enough medication left and receive timely treatment, resulting in fewer severe attacks. According to the American College of...
Adult females are more prone to allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases compared to males, with gender differences changing after puberty. Genetics play a role in determining allergy and asthma risk, with personalized medicine being key to effective treatment.
A study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reveals that asthma sufferers allergic to cats has more than doubled over an 18-year period. Those with asthma are also 32% more likely to be allergic to cats than those without asthma.
A recent study by University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital found that children aged 1 to 3 years accounted for one-fifth of all emergency department visits caused by asthma complications. Additionally, the study revealed that nearly half of all ED visits due to asthma occurred in boys, and fall months had a higher prop...
A new study from RIKEN and Keio University reveals that Pimozide can restore steroid effects on natural helper cells in severe asthmatic patients. Researchers found that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) induces corticosteroid resistance in these cells.
A new class of drug RPL554 has been developed to treat obstructive airway diseases like asthma and COPD. It works by both reversing the narrowing of the airways and reducing inflammation, producing a 17% increase in respiratory function.
Research on an aerosol that induces a rapid immune response to prevent viral respiratory infections and asthma attacks has earned major funding from the National Institutes of Health. The NIH-funded project aims to translate preclinical findings to clinical trials to prevent asthma attacks.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that combining two test methods can provide better asthma diagnosis. The combination of exhaled nitric oxide and blood eosinophil counts increases the likelihood of individuals reporting asthma symptoms or attacks.
A new study published by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found a strong link between exposure to diesel exhaust and increased asthma severity in children. The research suggests that neutralizing the protein IL-17A could be a useful potential therapeutic strategy to counteract the effects of traffic-related air pollution.