Distinct trajectories of lung function from childhood to mid-adulthood.

RATIONALE: Life course trajectories of lung function development and decline influence the risk for lung disease but are poorly documented. OBJECTIVE: To document lung function trajectories from childhood to mid-adult life. METHODS: We modelled forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC at ages 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 26, 32, 38 and 45 years from a population-based cohort using latent profile analysis to identify distinct subgroups of participants with similar lung function trajectories. Regression analyses were used to assess associations between the trajectories, early life factors and postbronchodilator airflow obstruction at age 45. RESULTS: Among 865 participants with ≥6 measures of lung function, we identified 10 distinct FEV1 trajectories. Most were approximately parallel except for a childhood airway hyper-responsiveness-related persistently low trajectory (3% of study population); two accelerated-decline trajectories, one of which (8%) was associated with smoking and higher adult body mass index (BMI) and a catch-up trajectory (8%). Findings for FEV1/FVC trajectories were similar. Nine trajectories were identified for FVC: most were also approximately parallel except for a higher BMI-related accelerated-decline trajectory. The three FEV1 trajectories leading to the lowest FEV1 values comprised 19% of the cohort but contributed 55% of airflow obstruction at age 45. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function trajectories to mid-adult life are largely established before adolescence, with a few exceptions: a childhood airway hyper-responsiveness-related persistently low trajectory, which starts low and gets worse with age, and accelerated adult decline trajectories associated with smoking and obesity. Adverse trajectories are associated with a high risk of airflow obstruction in mid-adult life.

The carbon footprint of as-needed budesonide/formoterol in mild asthma: a post hoc analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The use of pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) and asthma exacerbations necessitating healthcare reviews contribute substantially to the global carbon footprint of healthcare. It is possible that a reduction in carbon footprint could be achieved by switching patients with mild asthma from salbutamol pMDI reliever-based therapy to inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) reliever therapy, as recommended by the Global Initiative for Asthma. METHODS: This post hoc analysis included all 668 adult participants in the Novel START trial, who were randomised 1:1:1 to treatment with as-needed budesonide/formoterol DPI, as-needed salbutamol pMDI or maintenance budesonide DPI plus as-needed salbutamol pMDI. The primary outcome was carbon footprint of asthma management, expressed as kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (kgCO2e) per person-year. Secondary outcomes explored the effect of baseline symptom control and adherence (maintenance budesonide DPI arm only) on carbon footprint. RESULTS: As-needed budesonide/formoterol DPI was associated with 95.8% and 93.6% lower carbon footprint compared with as-needed salbutamol pMDI (least-squares mean 1.1 versus 26.2 kgCO2e; difference -25.0, 95% CI -29.7 to -20.4; p<0.001) and maintenance budesonide DPI plus as-needed salbutamol pMDI (least-squares mean 1.1 versus 17.3 kgCO2e; difference -16.2, 95% CI -20.9 to -11.6; p<0.001), respectively. There was no statistically significant evidence that treatment differences in carbon footprint depended on baseline symptom control or adherence in the maintenance budesonide DPI arm. CONCLUSIONS: The as-needed budesonide/formoterol DPI treatment option was associated with a markedly lower carbon footprint than as-needed salbutamol pMDI and maintenance budesonide DPI plus as-needed salbutamol pMDI.

Predictors of lung function in early adulthood: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lung function reaches a peak/plateau in early adulthood before declining with age. Lower early adult lung function may increase the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mid-late adult life. Understanding the effects of multiple childhood/adolescent exposures and their potential interactions on plateau lung function would provide insights into the natural history of COPD. METHODS: Longitudinal spirometry data from 688 participants with complete data from a population-based birth cohort (original n = 1037) were used to investigate associations between a wide range of childhood/adolescent exposures and repeated measures of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC during the early-adult plateau phase. Generalized estimating equations were used to accommodate the multiple timepoints per participant. RESULTS: FEV1 reached a peak/plateau between ages 18 and 26 and FVC from 21 to 32 years, whereas FEV1/FVC declined throughout early adulthood. Childhood asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness were associated with lower early adult FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. Smoking by age 18 was associated with lower FEV1/FVC. Higher BMI during early adulthood was associated with lower FEV1 and FVC and lower FEV1/FVC. Physical activity during adolescence was positively associated with FEV1 and FEV1/FVC but this was only statistically significant in men. There was no convincing evidence of interactions between exposures. CONCLUSION: Childhood asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness are associated with lower lung function in early adulthood. Interventions targeting these may reduce the risk of COPD in mid-late adult life. Promotion of physical activity during adolescence, prevention of cigarette smoking and maintenance of a healthy body weight in early adulthood are also priorities.

Continuities in maternal substance use from early adolescence to parenthood: findings from the intergenerational cohort consortium.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the extent to which women's preconception binge drinking, tobacco use and cannabis use, reported prospectively in adolescence and young adulthood, predicted use of these substances during pregnancy and at 1 year postpartum. METHODS: Data were pooled from two intergenerational cohort studies: the Australian Temperament Project Generation 3 Study (395 mothers, 691 pregnancies) and the Victorian Intergenerational Health Cohort Study (398 mothers, 609 pregnancies). Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use were assessed in adolescence (13-18 years), young adulthood (19-29 years) and at ages 29-35 years for those transitioning to parenthood. Exposures were weekly or more frequent preconception binge drinking (5 + drinks in one session), tobacco use and cannabis use. Outcomes were any alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use prior to awareness of the pregnancy, after awareness of pregnancy (up to and including the third trimester pregnancy) and at 1 year postpartum. RESULTS: Frequent preconception binge drinking, tobacco use and cannabis use across both adolescence and young adulthood were strong predictors of continued use post-conception, before and after awareness of the pregnancy and at 1 year postpartum. Substance use limited to young adulthood also predicted continued use post-conception. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent alcohol, tobacco use and cannabis use that starts in adolescence has a strong continuity into parenthood. Reducing substance use in the perinatal period requires action well before pregnancy, commencing in adolescence and continuing into the years before conception and throughout the perinatal period.

Parental history of positive development and child behavior in next generation offspring: A two-cohort prospective intergenerational study.

This study examined whether positive development (PD) in adolescence and young adulthood predicts offspring behavior in two Australasian intergenerational cohorts. The Australian Temperament Project Generation 3 Study assessed PD at age 19-28 (years 2002-2010) and behavior in 1165 infants (12-18 months; 608 girls) of 694 Australian-born parents (age 29-35; 2012-2019; 399 mothers). The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Parenting Study assessed PD at age 15-18 (years 1987-1991) and behavior in 695 preschoolers (3-5 years; 349 girls) and their New Zealand born parents (age 21-46; 1994-2018; 363 mothers; 89% European ethnicity). In both cohorts, PD before parenthood predicted more positive offspring behavior (ßrange  = .11-.16) and fewer behavior problems (ßrange  = -.09 to -.11). Promoting strengths may secure a healthy start to life.

Differential Effects of Cannabis and Tobacco on Lung Function in Mid-Adult Life.

Rationale: Evidence suggests that the effects of smoking cannabis on lung function are different from tobacco. However, long-term follow-up data are scarce and mostly based on young adults. Objectives: To assess the effects of cannabis and tobacco on lung function in mid-adult life. Methods: Cannabis and tobacco use were reported at ages 18, 21, 26, 32, 38, and 45 years in a population-based cohort study of 1,037 participants. Spirometry, plethysmography, and carbon monoxide transfer factor were measured at age 45. Associations between lung function and cannabis use were adjusted for tobacco use. Measurements and Main Results: Data were available from 881 (88%) of 997 surviving participants. Cumulative cannabis use was associated with lower FEV1/FVC ratios, owing to a tendency toward higher FVCs. Cannabis use was also associated with higher TLC, FRC, residual volume, and Va along with lower midexpiratory flows, airway conductance, and transfer factor. Quitting regular cannabis use between assessments was not associated with changes in spirometry. Conclusions: Cannabis use is associated with higher lung volumes, suggesting hyperinflation. There is evidence of increased large-airway resistance and lower midexpiratory airflow, but impairment of FEV1/FVC ratio is because of higher FVC. This pattern of effects is different to those of tobacco. We provide the first evidence that lifetime cannabis use may be associated with impairment of gas transfer.

Controlled Trial of Budesonide-Formoterol as Needed for Mild Asthma.

BACKGROUND: In double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, budesonide-formoterol used on an as-needed basis resulted in a lower risk of severe exacerbation of asthma than as-needed use of a short-acting ß2-agonist (SABA); the risk was similar to that of budesonide maintenance therapy plus as-needed SABA. The availability of data from clinical trials designed to better reflect clinical practice would be beneficial. METHODS: We conducted a 52-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, controlled trial involving adults with mild asthma. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: albuterol (100 µg, two inhalations from a pressurized metered-dose inhaler as needed for asthma symptoms) (albuterol group); budesonide (200 µg, one inhalation through a Turbuhaler twice daily) plus as-needed albuterol (budesonide maintenance group); or budesonide-formoterol (200 µg of budesonide and 6 µg of formoterol, one inhalation through a Turbuhaler as needed) (budesonide-formoterol group). Electronic monitoring of inhalers was used to measure medication use. The primary outcome was the annualized rate of asthma exacerbations. RESULTS: The analysis included 668 of 675 patients who underwent randomization. The annualized exacerbation rate in the budesonide-formoterol group was lower than that in the albuterol group (absolute rate, 0.195 vs. 0.400; relative rate, 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33 to 0.72; P<0.001) and did not differ significantly from the rate in the budesonide maintenance group (absolute rate, 0.195 in the budesonide-formoterol group vs. 0.175 in the budesonide maintenance group; relative rate, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.79; P = 0.65). The number of severe exacerbations was lower in the budesonide-formoterol group than in both the albuterol group (9 vs. 23; relative risk, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.86) and the budesonide maintenance group (9 vs. 21; relative risk, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.96). The mean (±SD) dose of inhaled budesonide was 107±109 µg per day in the budesonide-formoterol group and 222±113 µg per day in the budesonide maintenance group. The incidence and type of adverse events reported were consistent with those in previous trials and with reports in clinical use. CONCLUSIONS: In an open-label trial involving adults with mild asthma, budesonide-formoterol used as needed was superior to albuterol used as needed for the prevention of asthma exacerbations. (Funded by AstraZeneca and the Health Research Council of New Zealand; Novel START Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12615000999538.).

Childhood sexual abuse and pervasive problems across multiple life domains: Findings from a five-decade study.

The aim of this study was to use longitudinal population-based data to examine the associations between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and risk for adverse outcomes in multiple life domains across adulthood. In 937 individuals followed from birth to age 45y, we assessed associations between CSA (retrospectively reported at age 26y) and the experience of 22 adverse outcomes in seven domains (physical, mental, sexual, interpersonal, economic, antisocial, multi-domain) from young adulthood to midlife (26 to 45y). Analyses controlled for sex, socioeconomic status, prospectively reported child harm and household dysfunction adverse childhood experiences, and adult sexual assault, and considered different definitions of CSA. After adjusting for confounders, CSA survivors were more likely than their peers to experience internalizing, externalizing, and thought disorders, suicide attempts, health risk behaviors, systemic inflammation, poor oral health, sexually transmitted diseases, high-conflict relationships, benefit use, financial difficulties, antisocial behavior, and cumulative problems across multiple domains in adulthood. In sum, CSA was associated with multiple persistent problems across adulthood, even after adjusting for confounding life stressors, and the risk for particular problems incremented with CSA severity. The higher risk for most specific problems was small to moderate, but the cumulative long-term effects across multiple domains reflect considerable individual and societal burden.

Adolescent antecedents of maternal and paternal perinatal depression: a 36-year prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Rates of common mental health problems (depression/anxiety) rise sharply in adolescence and peak in young adulthood, often coinciding with the transition to parenthood. Little is known regarding the persistence of common mental health problems from adolescence to the perinatal period in both mothers and fathers. METHODS: A total of 393 mothers (686 pregnancies) and 257 fathers (357 pregnancies) from the intergenerational Australian Temperament Project Generation 3 Study completed self-report assessments of depression and anxiety in adolescence (ages 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 years) and young adulthood (ages 19-20, 23-24, 27-28 years). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms at 32 weeks pregnancy and 12 months postpartum in mothers, and at 12 months postpartum in fathers. RESULTS: Most pregnancies (81%) in which mothers reported perinatal depression were preceded by a history of mental health problems in adolescence or young adulthood. Similarly, most pregnancies (83%) in which fathers reported postnatal depression were preceded by a preconception history of mental health problems. After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds of self-reporting perinatal depression in both women and men were consistently higher in those with a history of persistent mental health problems across adolescence and young adulthood than those without (ORwomen 5.7, 95% CI 2.9-10.9; ORmen 5.5, 95% CI 1.03-29.70). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal depression, for the majority of parents, is a continuation of mental health problems with onsets well before pregnancy. Strategies to promote good perinatal mental health should start before parenthood and include both men and women.

Early-onset and recurrent depression in parents increases risk of intergenerational transmission to adolescent offspring.

BACKGROUND: To assess whether the age-of-onset or the recurrence of parents' major depressive disorder (MDD), measured prospectively in a longitudinal birth cohort study, predicted offspring depression at age 15. METHODS: A two-generation study of New Zealanders, with prospective, longitudinal data in the parents' generation (n = 375) and cross-sectional data from their adolescent offspring (n = 612). Parent and offspring depression was measured with structured clinical interviews. Parent depression was measured at six time points from age 11 to 38 years. Adolescent offspring depression was measured at age 15. RESULTS: Compared to adolescents whose parents were never depressed, those whose parents met criteria for MDD more than once and those whose parents first met criteria before adulthood had more symptoms of depression. The combination of early-onset and recurrent depression in parents made adolescents particularly vulnerable; their odds of meeting criteria for MDD were 4.21 times greater (95% CI = 1.57-11.26) than adolescents whose parents were never depressed. The strength of the intergenerational effect did not vary as a function of parent or offspring sex. The prevalence of adolescent depression was 2.5 times higher in the offspring than at age 15 in the parents' generation. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent depression in both fathers and mothers increases offspring risk for depression, particularly when it starts in childhood or adolescence, but a single lifetime episode does not. Health practitioners should be aware of age-of-onset and course of depression in both parents when assessing their children's risk for depression.

The impact of regular bisoprolol on the response to salbutamol in asthma: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Non-selective beta-blockers impair the bronchodilator response to beta2 -agonists. Cardio-selective beta1 -blockers are less likely to cause this effect, yet they remain relatively contraindicated in asthma. We investigated whether the response to salbutamol is impaired during cardio-selective beta1 -blocker treatment in people with asthma. METHODS: A random-order, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority, crossover study was conducted comparing up to 5 mg bisoprolol daily for 2 weeks with matching placebo, with an open-label extension of up to 10 mg bisoprolol daily. After each treatment period, mannitol was inhaled to induce bronchoconstriction with a 15% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ). Immediately after mannitol challenge, salbutamol (100, 100 and 200 µg) was administered via spacer at 5-min intervals with repeated FEV1 measures. The FEV1 recovery with salbutamol was measured as an area under recovery curve (AUC). Based on earlier research, a clinically relevant non-inferiority limit of a 30% reduction in the AUC was set. RESULTS: A total of 19 adults with mild asthma and positive inhaled mannitol challenge completed the study. Adjusting for the FEV1 fall induced by mannitol and treatment sequence, the mean AUC response to salbutamol after bisoprolol was 5% lower than after placebo, with a one-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of 26% lower. Thirteen participants completed the open-label extension up to 10 mg bisoprolol daily with mean AUC 11% higher after bisoprolol with a 95% CI of 5% lower. CONCLUSION: The bronchodilator response to rescue salbutamol after mannitol-induced bronchoconstriction is non-inferior during regular treatment with the cardio-selective beta1 -blocker, bisoprolol, compared to placebo. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618000306213 at https://www.anzctr.org.au.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the cardio-respiratory health of New Zealanders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to health, social interaction, travel and economies worldwide. In New Zealand, the government closed the border to non-residents and required all arrivals to quarantine for 14 days. They also implemented a strict contact-restriction system to eliminate COVID-19 from the community. These measures also reduced the circulation of other respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. We assessed the impact of these measures on hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac diseases. METHODS: National data on hospital admissions for each week of 2020 were compared to admissions for the previous 5 years. Analyses were curtailed after week 33, when a COVID-19 outbreak in Auckland led to different levels of pandemic restrictions making national data difficult to interpret. RESULTS: The numbers of acute infectious respiratory admissions were similar to previous years before the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions, but then fell lower and remained low after the pandemic restrictions were eased. The usual winter peak in respiratory admissions was not seen in 2020. Other than small reductions during the period of the strictest contact restrictions, non-infectious respiratory and cardiac admissions were similar to previous years and the usual winter peak in heart failure admissions was observed. CONCLUSION: The observed patterns of hospital admissions in 2020 are compatible with the hypothesis that circulating respiratory viruses drive the normal seasonal trends in respiratory admissions. By contrast, these findings suggest that respiratory viruses do not drive the winter peak in heart failure.

Budesonide-formoterol reliever therapy versus maintenance budesonide plus terbutaline reliever therapy in adults with mild to moderate asthma (PRACTICAL): a 52-week, open-label, multicentre, superiority, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In adults with mild asthma, a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid with a fast-onset long-acting ß-agonist (LABA) used as reliever monotherapy reduces severe exacerbations compared with short-acting ß-agonist (SABA) reliever therapy. We investigated the efficacy of combination budesonide-formoterol reliever therapy compared with maintenance budesonide plus as-needed terbutaline. METHODS: We did a 52-week, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre, superiority, randomised controlled trial at 15 primary care or hospital-based clinical trials units and primary care practices in New Zealand. Participants were adults aged 18-75 years with a self-reported doctor's diagnosis of asthma who were using SABA for symptom relief with or without maintenance low to moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids in the previous 12 weeks. We randomly assigned participants (1:1) to either reliever therapy with budesonide 200 µg-formoterol 6 µg Turbuhaler (one inhalation as needed for relief of symptoms) or maintenance budesonide 200 µg Turbuhaler (one inhalation twice daily) plus terbutaline 250 µg Turbuhaler (two inhalations as needed). Participants and investigators were not masked to group assignment; the statistician was masked for analysis of the primary outcome. Six study visits were scheduled: randomisation, and weeks 4, 16, 28, 40, and 52. The primary outcome was the number of severe exacerbations per patient per year analysed by intention to treat (severe exacerbations defined as use of systemic corticosteroids for at least 3 days because of asthma, or admission to hospital or an emergency department visit because of asthma requiring systemic corticosteroids). Safety analyses included all participants who had received at least one dose of study treatment. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12616000377437. FINDINGS: Between May 4, 2016, and Dec 22, 2017, we assigned 890 participants to treatment and included 885 eligible participants in the analysis: 437 assigned to budesonide-formoterol as needed and 448 to budesonide maintenance plus terbutaline as needed. Severe exacerbations per patient per year were lower with as-needed budesonide-formoterol than with maintenance budesonide plus terbutaline as needed (absolute rate per patient per year 0·119 vs 0·172; relative rate 0·69, 95% CI 0·48-1·00; p=0·049). Nasopharyngitis was the most common adverse event in both groups, occurring in 154 (35%) of 440 patients receiving as-needed budesonide-formoterol and 144 (32%) of 448 receiving maintenance budesonide plus terbutaline as needed. INTERPRETATION: In adults with mild to moderate asthma, budesonide-formoterol used as needed for symptom relief was more effective at preventing severe exacerbations than maintenance low-dose budesonide plus as-needed terbutaline. The findings support the 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma recommendation that inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol reliever therapy is an alternative regimen to daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroid for patients with mild asthma. FUNDING: Health Research Council of New Zealand.

What matters most to patients when choosing treatment for mild-moderate asthma? Results from a discrete choice experiment.

BACKGROUND: An as-needed combination preventer and reliever regimen was recently introduced as an alternative to conventional daily preventer treatment for mild asthma. In a subgroup analysis of the PRACTICAL study, a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of budesonide-formoterol reliever therapy versus maintenance budesonide plus terbutaline reliever therapy in adults with mild asthma, we recently reported that about two-thirds preferred as-needed combination preventer and reliever therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of attributes associated with these two asthma therapies in this subgroup of participants who indicated their preferred treatment in the PRACTICAL study. METHODS: At their final study visit, a subgroup of participants indicated their preferred treatment and completed a discrete choice experiment using the Potentially All Pairwise RanKings of all possible Alternatives method and 1000minds software. Treatment attributes and their levels were selected from measurable study outcomes, and included: treatment regimen, shortness of breath, steroid dose and likelihood of asthma flare-up. RESULTS: The final analysis dataset included 288 participants, 64% of whom preferred as-needed combination preventer and reliever. Of the attributes, no shortness of breath and lowest risk of asthma flare-up were ranked highest and second highest, respectively. However, the relative importance of the other two attributes varied by preferred therapy: treatment regimen was ranked higher by participants who preferred as-needed treatment than by participants who preferred maintenance treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of patient preferences for treatment attributes together with regimen characteristics can be used in shared decision-making regarding choice of treatment for patients with mild-moderate asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12616000377437.

Self-titration of inhaled corticosteroid and ß2-agonist in response to symptoms in mild asthma: a pre-specified analysis from the PRACTICAL randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: In mild asthma, as-needed budesonide-formoterol is superior or noninferior to maintenance budesonide plus as-needed short-acting ß2-agonist in reducing severe exacerbations. In this pre-specified analysis, we investigated patterns of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and ß2-agonist use in PRACTICAL, a randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Participants were randomised 1:1 to as-needed budesonide-formoterol (200/6 µg Turbuhaler, one actuation) or maintenance budesonide (200 µg Turbuhaler, one actuation twice a day) with as-needed terbutaline (250 µg, two actuations) for 52 weeks. 110 participants had electronic monitors attached to their study inhalers which captured the time and date of every actuation. Key outcome measures were patterns of ICS and ß2-agonist use. One actuation of budesonide-formoterol was considered to be an equivalent bronchodilator dose as two actuations of terbutaline. RESULTS: Participants randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol had more days with no ICS use compared with maintenance budesonide (median total days of no use 156 versus 22 days, respectively), lower median daily budesonide dose (164 versus 328 µg, respectively) and a greater median number of days of ≥4 budesonide actuations (4 versus 1 days, respectively). Participants randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol took higher equivalent doses of ß2-agonist both overall (median number of actuations 0.8 versus 0.3 per day, respectively) and in response to worsening asthma (total number of "overuse days" of >8 or >16 actuations of budesonide-formoterol or terbutaline 33 versus 10 days, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The timing of ICS dose when self-titrated to ß2-agonist use is more important than total ICS dose in reducing severe exacerbation risk in mild asthma, when associated with greater overall use of as-needed ß2-agonist.

Patient preferences for symptom-driven or regular preventer treatment in mild to moderate asthma: findings from the PRACTICAL study, a randomised clinical trial.

Symptom-driven low-dose inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol is safe and effective in mild asthma and has been recommended as one of the preferred treatment regimens at steps 1 and 2 in the 2019 update of the Global Initiative for Asthma. However, there are no data on patient preferences for this regimen.A subgroup of participants in the PRACTICAL study (ACTRN12616000377437), a randomised controlled trial comparing symptom-driven budesonide-formoterol with maintenance budesonide plus as-needed terbutaline completed a survey on treatment preferences, satisfaction, beliefs and experience at their final study visit.306 (75%) out of 407 eligible participants completed the survey. Regimen preference was strongly associated with randomised treatment, as were preferences for and beliefs about preventer inhaler use. Combination preventer and reliever as-needed therapy was preferred by 135 (90%, 95% CI 85.2-94.8%) out of 150 who were randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol, and by 63 (40%, 95% CI 32.7-48.1%) out of 156 who were randomised to maintenance budesonide. By contrast, twice-daily preventer inhaler with a reliever inhaler as required was preferred by 15 (10%) out of 150 of those randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol and 93 (60%) out of 156 of those randomised to maintenance budesonide. Satisfaction with all study inhalers was high. Of patients randomised to as-needed budesonide-formoterol 92% (n=138) were confident using it as a reliever at the end of the study.Although most participants preferred the regimen to which they had been randomised, this association was much stronger for those randomised to budesonide-formoterol as needed, indicating that most patients preferred as-needed corticosteroid-formoterol therapy if they had experienced it.

Associations between lung and endothelial function in early middle age.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic lung disease is associated with impaired endothelial function and this may be a risk factor for poor cardiovascular health. It is unknown if there is an association between lung and endothelial function in the general population. We investigated associations between lung and endothelial function in a population-based cohort of 38-year-old men and women. METHODS: Systemic endothelial function was measured using peripheral arterial tonometry to calculate the Framingham reactive hyperaemia index. Lung function was assessed using spirometry, plethysmographic lung volumes, airway conductance and gas transfer. Associations between lung and endothelial function were assessed with and without adjustment for potential confounding factors using regression analyses. RESULTS: Sex modified the association between lung and endothelial function. Among women, lower values of pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry, total lung capacity and functional residual capacity (FRC) were associated with worse endothelial function (P < 0.05). These associations persisted after adjustment for smoking, asthma diagnoses, fitness and body mass index. Associations were weaker among men: only FRC, airway conductance and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 )/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratios were associated with endothelial function. Endothelial function was not associated with gas transfer in either sex. CONCLUSION: Lower lung volumes and airflow obstruction are associated with endothelial dysfunction among women. There is weaker evidence for an association between airway and endothelial function in men. These findings may partly explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease among people with poor lung function, but suggest that there are sex differences in this association.

Cardiac dysfunction in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often not detected by electrocardiogram and chest radiographs.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction is common in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even in patients without clinically suspected cardiac disorders. AIM: To investigate associations between electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest radiograph abnormalities and biochemical evidence of cardiac dysfunction (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin T) in patients hospitalised with exacerbations of COPD at Waikato Hospital. METHODS: Independent examiners, blinded to NT-proBNP and troponin T levels, assessed ECG for tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular hypertrophy and ischaemic changes in 389 patients and chest radiographs for signs of heart failure in 350 patients. Associations between electrocardiographic and radiographic abnormalities with at least moderate interrater agreement and cardiac biomarkers were analysed. RESULTS: High NT-proBNP values (>220 pmol/L) were associated with atrial fibrillation (22 vs 6%), right ventricular hypertrophy (24 vs 15%), left ventricular hypertrophy (15 vs 4%), ischaemia (59 vs 33%) and cardiomegaly (42 vs 20%). High troponin T values (>0.03ug/L or high-sensitivity >50 ng/L) were associated with tachycardia (65 vs 41%), right ventricular hypertrophy (26 vs 15%) and ischaemia (60 vs 36%). None of the electrocardiographic or radiographic abnormalities was sensitive or specific for cardiac biomarker abnormalities. Ischaemia on ECG was the best indicator for raised NT-proBNP (sensitivity 59%, specificity 67%). Tachycardia and ischaemia were the best indicators of raised troponin T (sensitivity 65 and 60%, specificity 59 and 64% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ECG and chest radiograph abnormalities have poor sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing acute cardiac dysfunction in exacerbations of COPD. Cardiac biomarkers provide additional diagnostic information about acute cardiac dysfunction in exacerbations of COPD.

The experiences of young people with chronic illness in New Zealand: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Around 10% of young people suffer from chronic health conditions, and their health care needs are different from those of children or adults. Most research about young people's chronic illness focuses on specific conditions, on younger children's experience, and on the perspectives of parents. This study explored the experiences of young people with two very different chronic conditions (asthma and cancer) and their perception of the New Zealand health system's response to their needs. METHODS: This was a collaborative research process where eight young co-researchers who had asthma or cancer were employed to work alongside the research team to develop protocols, interview peers, and assist with analysis. The challenges of this process are described in the article. Twenty-one young people between ages 15 and 27 from two urban areas of New Zealand participated in semistructured open-ended interviews about their health care experiences. Sixteen participants were female, and five male. Eleven of the participants had finished cancer treatment (with an average of 3.6 years since diagnosis), and 10 had asthma. Purposeful sampling meant that 80% of the participants with asthma were identified as Maori and the other participants identified with a range of other ethnic groups. Data were thematically coded, and coresearchers were consulted to derive the ultimate findings. RESULTS: Chronic illness disrupted the trajectory of young people's lives and had significant effects on their relationships. The New Zealand health system generally did not respond well to the needs of these young people, but many encountered extraordinary individuals who supported them effectively. The experiences of some indigenous participants indicate that health professionals require effective cultural competence training. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into how young people with very different conditions experience the health system. Young people should be consulted and actively included in decision making about making health systems responsive to their diverse needs.