One hundred consecutive asthmatic paediatric patients were evaluated and skin tested with a battery of skin prick test reagents, including 8 different standardized house dust mite extracts. Asthma severity was graded according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) document in mild persistent (52 patients), moderate persistent (39) and severe persistent (9). Sixty patients had asthma and al...

(Kemp JP, Skoner D, Szefler SJ, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1999;83:231–239). This study retrospectively examines the data more closely and demonstrates that efficacy and safety are not dependent on whether administration is by facemask or mouthpiece. The results here provide reassuring data for clinicians treating children with persistent asthma who are too young to use mouthpieces. Sim...

(Kemp JP, Skoner D, Szefler SJ, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1999;83:231–239). This study retrospectively examines the data more closely and demonstrates that efficacy and safety are not dependent on whether administration is by facemask or mouthpiece. The results here provide reassuring data for clinicians treating children with persistent asthma who are too young to use mouthpieces. Sim...

Recent asthma recommendations advocate the use of long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) in uncontrolled asthma, but also stress the importance of stepping down this therapy once asthma control has been achieved. The objective of this study was to evaluate downtitration of LABA therapy in pediatric patients who are well-controlled on combination-inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/LABA therapy. Clinical an...

Asthma is an inflammatory condition characterized by the involvement of several mediators, including reactive oxygen species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the superoxide release and cellular glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) activity in peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes from children and adolescents with atopic asthma. Forty-four patients were selected and classified as...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine whether asthma management in Thailand is succeeding in achieving the levels of control, specified in national and international asthma guidelines. METHODOLOGY Adults with asthma in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen were interviewed, and we have reported on their asthma severity, morbidity, control, perception of asthma, and healthcare...

INTRODUCTION High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a widespread medical imaging method for the study of thoracic diseases. In asthma it is very useful particularly when it is difficult to achieve an effective control of disease, and in severe deterioration. AIM It was intended to evaluate the imaging changes by HRCT in asthmatic patients and to assess the expression according to the s...

RATIONALE Recent observations, especially in adults, suggest that asthma severity may be associated with fungal sensitization. Other studies suggest that some patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitization may benefit from anti-fungal therapy. Currently, the prevalence of fungal sensitization among children with severe asthma is not well characterized. METHODS We determined prevalence o...

BACKGROUND In adult patients, the consistent use of language to describe dyspnea enhances patient-provider communication and contributes to diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The objective of this research was to determine whether pediatric patients similarly display consistency in the language used to describe "uncomfortable awareness of breathing." METHODS One hundred children between th...

Background In Canada and the US, omalizumab is indicated for adults and adolescents (>12 years of age) with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma. In the EU, omalizumab has been approved for children (age 6 – 11 years) since 2009. The pediatric population within Canada and the United States has very few treatment options available for severe asthma. Current treatments options can lead t...