INTRODUCTION This study aims to evaluate bronchial thickness via thorax high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in subjects with mild intermittent asthma in comparison with healthy control subjects. METHODS A total of 37 out-patients (mean ± SD age = 36.7 years (9.7 years); 54.8% males) with mild intermittent asthma and 13 healthy control subjects (mean ± SD age = 25.0 years (2.9 years); 6...

BACKGROUND Exposure to formaldehyde may lead to exacerbation of asthma. OBJECTIVES Our aim in this study was to investigate whether exposure to a low level (500 microg/m(3)) of formaldehyde enhances inhaled allergen responses. METHODS Twelve subjects with intermittent asthma and allergy to pollen were exposed, at rest, in a double-blind crossover study to either formaldehyde or purified air...

A double-blind crossover study was performed to compare 4 . 8 mg salbutamol given by pressure-packed aerosol and intermittent positive-pressure breathing nebulization in chronic asthmatic patients. The two delivery techniques produced similar changes in respiratory function and pulse rates. Given equal effect, a high-dose pressure-packed aerosol would have advantages in cost and convenience ove...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore whether serum baseline tryptase (sBT) levels might be a useful marker not only for the accurate diagnosis of childhood asthma, but also for the prediction of disease severity. METHODS A total of 114 asthmatic children were enrolled in this study, 36 of whom had mild intermittent asthma, 38 had mild persistent asthma, and 40 had moderate to sever...

BACKGROUND The effects of in utero tobacco smoke exposure on childhood respiratory health have been investigated, and outcomes have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE To determine if in utero tobacco smoke exposure is associated with childhood persistent asthma in Mexican, Puerto Rican, and black children. PATIENTS AND METHODS There were 295 Mexican, Puerto Rican, and black asthmatic children, ag...

The goal of asthma treatment is to prevent exacerbations, achieve daily asthma control and prevent adverse effects with a minimum of medication. In preschoolers, children and adolescents with mild persistent asthma, the most effective therapy remains daily use of low-dose inhaled corticosteroids. Why then consider intermittent therapy over maintenance inhaled corticosteroids? The intermittent a...

Background Daily inhaled corticosteroids are widely recommended for mild persistent asthma. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the intermittent use of beclomethasone as an alternative treatment for mild persistent asthma. Methods In this 16-week trial, children aged 6-18 years were evaluated. Subjects in the continuous treatment arm of the study received 500 μg/day of beclomethasone, ...

BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend a single inhaler maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) regimen for moderate to severe asthma. However, evidence for the inhaled corticosteroid plus fast-onset-acting β2-agonist (ICS/FABA) as reliever therapy in management of intermittent and mild asthma patients is lacking. OBJECTIVE To systematically explore efficacy and safety of the proof-of-conce...

In the present review, we focus on evidence-based data for the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), long-acting beta2-agonits (LABA) and oral corticosteroids (OCS), with a special emphasis on well-performed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of such trials for the chronic management of asthma/wheeze in infants and preschoolers. RESULTS...

This study was conducted to determine whether small doses of salbutamol solution, aerosolised and delivered by intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB), would be as effective as the 5 to 10 mg dose usually recommended for inhalational use. In nine asthmatic subjects we found that there was no significant difference between the peak bronchodilator effect of 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg of salbuta...