Small airway dysfunction links asthma exacerbations with asthma control and health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Small airway dysfunction not only affects asthma control, but also has adverse effects on the psychological and/or social activities of asthma patients. However, few long-term observational studies have explored the complex relationship between small airway dysfunction and asthma control and health-related quality of life in patients with asthma exacerbations. METHODS: The study recruited 223 patients with exacerbations of asthma (i.e. those with at least one asthma attack over the past year) and 228 patients without exacerbations of asthma (i.e. those without asthma attacks over the past year). We evaluated SAD in patients with asthma exacerbations using impulse oscillometry method. At each evaluation time point within one year of follow-up, the attending physician conducts a case investigation of the patients. We analyzed the correlation between SAD and general characteristics (age, obesity, smoking history), type 2 inflammation (blood eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide), FEV1, as well as asthma control (ACT) and health-related quality of life (mini-AQLQ) in patients with asthma exacerbations, and constructed a structural equation model to evaluate the causality of these clinical variables. RESULTS: The SAD prevalence in patients with asthma exacerbation is as high as 75%. SAD is connected with poor asthma control and poor health-related quality of life. The structural equation model indicates that age, obesity, FeNO, and FEV1 are independent predictive factors of SAD. SAD is the main determinant factor of asthma control, which in turn affected health-related quality of life. FEV1 and age directly affect asthma control and affect health-related quality of life through asthma control. In addition, there is a bidirectional relationship between FEV1 and small airway dysfunction and between asthma control and health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Small airways are involved from an early stage in asthma. Abnormal function of the small airways can significantly increase airway resistance in asthma patients, while worsening their clinical symptoms. In addition, aging is also a key risk factor for asthma control. Especially, small airway dysfunction links asthma control with health-related quality of life.

Asthma control associated with anxiety and depression in asthmatic children following post-acute COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Poor asthma control may adversely affect mental health. Our study investigates the correlation between inadequate asthma control, exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels, and anxiety and depression among pediatric asthma patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This prospective case-control study enrolled 520 asthmatic children (8-15 years), including 336 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 after rapid antigen testing at home and 184 age-matched asthmatic patients without COVID-19 infection. FENO and spirometry were performed 1 month after COVID-19 infection. Scores for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders (SCARED) and depression screen derived from Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess their mental health status. Childhood asthma control test (C-ACT), FENO levels, and spirometry were correlated with the SCARED and PHQ-9 questionnaires. RESULTS: SCARED subscales, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, school avoidance, and depression scores from PHQ-9, exhibited a significant increase in asthmatic patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (p < .05). Among asthmatic children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the poor asthma control group exhibited the highest SCARED and PHQ-9 measurements (p < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that reduced C-ACT scores and elevated FENO levels in asthmatic children with COVID-19 were significant risk factors for both anxiety and depression scores (p < .05). Lower C-ACT scales were associated with high scores of SCARED (r = -0.471) and PHQ-9 (r = -0.329) in asthmatic children (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to closely monitor asthma control in asthmatic children to prevent heightened risks of depression and anxiety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Improvement of asthma control in adult patients using extrafine inhaled beclomethasone/formoterol fixed combination as maintenance therapy as well as maintenance and reliever therapy - CONTROL study.

INTRODUCTION: Extrafine formulation of beclomethasone/formoterol fixed combination (BDP/F pMDI HFA) is approved for both fixed maintenance and maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) of asthma, and recent data has proven that BDP/F pMDI HFA maintenance and reliever therapy is an effective alternative to other regimens. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the level of asthma control in a real-life setting in adult patients using extrafine BDP/F pMDI HFA fixed combination in a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) as fixed maintenance dosing as well as maintenance and maintenance and reliever therapy. Additionally, we examined patients' satisfaction with the inhaler device and compliance with therapy as essential factors determining asthma control. METHODS: This multicenter prospective non-interventional observational study lasted 4 months with 3 patient visits. We used the Asthma Control Questionnaire 7 (ACQ-7) to evaluate the degree of asthma control and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) to assess compliance. A self-developed questionnaire was used to assess satisfaction with the inhaler device. RESULTS: 2179 patients using BDP/F pMDI HFA fixed combination as maintenance and reliever therapy or BDP/F pMDI HFA as maintenance therapy and SABA (short-acting beta2-agonist) as a reliever for at least 2 months were included. During the prospective follow-up, we observed an upward trend in the FEV1% (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) predicted values, improvement in the control of symptoms as indicated by a decline in the mean ACQ-7 score was noted (1.62 at Visit 1 vs. 1.21 at Visit 2 vs. 0.94 at Visit 3, p < 0.001) and increase in patients' compliance (the number of patients that reported forgetting at times to take their medication was reduced from 49.7 % to 27.1 %, p < 0.001). At the same time, we noted a reduction in the number of as-needed doses used for symptom relief (p < 0.001). Most patients were satisfied with the pMDI, considered it easy and convenient to use, and preferred it to a dry powder inhaler (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of extrafine BDP/F pMDI HFA as maintenance as well as reliever therapy seems to be associated with increased asthma control and better compliance to therapy.

The analysis of asthma control using Markov models: MOSAR study (Multicenter Observational Study of Asthma in Rabat-Morocco).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the probabilities of transitioning between controlled, uncontrolled, and partially controlled states of asthma patients and investigate the influence of age, smoking, dust allergy, and obesity on these probabilities. METHODS: This study aimed to analyze the probabilities of transitioning between controlled, uncontrolled, and partially controlled states of asthma patients and investigate the influence of age, smoking, dust allergy, and obesity on these probabilities. RESULTS: Results showed that controlled patients were more likely to remain in that state, with approximately 79 out of 100 patients expected to stay in optimal control in the long term. A discrete nonhomogeneous time Markov Model with the stationarity criterion was used to examine the factors affecting patient states and transitions. Patients seen during the spring and summer seasons were more likely to move into a controlled state compared with those seen in the fall and winter seasons. Patients with dust allergies and obesity significantly impacted asthma exacerbation, with overweight patients more likely to transition into a controlled state. The study estimated the transition intensities matrix under certain conditions, assuming the regularity of patients. In the long term, the probability of an asthmatic patient being in a controlled state was approximately 0.8. CONCLUSION: This study provided insights into the probabilities and factors influencing asthma progression in Morocco. Dust allergy and obesity were identified as significant contributors to asthma exacerbation, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.

Childhood Asthma Control Test and spirometry values in school-age children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between child and parent reports of asthma control using the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) and spirometry. METHODS: This descriptive study included 648 children ages 5-11 years from a school-based asthma program. Not well-controlled asthma was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and by FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) of 80% predicted or lower. Sensitivity and specificity of C-ACT scores for low FEV1 and FEV1/FVC levels were calculated. Logistic regression was used to obtain the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for C-ACT score categories by FEV1 level. RESULTS: Mean child age was 8.2 years, mean C-ACT score was 20.3 (SD = 3.96), mean FEV1 was 94.3% (SD = 17.1), and mean FEV1/FVC was 81.3 (SD = 8.5). Children with an FEV1 of 80% or less had significantly lower C-ACT scores than those with an FEV1 > 80% (p = .023, t = -2.015, df = 167); 95% CI [. -1.79 to -0.018]). The sensitivity and specificity of a C-ACT score of 19 or less for an FEV1 of 80% predicted or lower were 44.9 and 66.4%. With a C-ACT score of 22 or less, sensitivity and specificity for low FEV1 were 67.7 and 30.9%. The AUC for a C-ACT score of 19 or less and FEV1 of 80% or lower was .444 while the AUC was higher at .507 for a CACT score of 22 or less. CONCLUSION: The C-ACT is a useful screen but spirometry should be performed in children with persistent symptoms to assess current asthma control.

Factors associated with having uncontrolled asthma in rural Appalachia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory disease disproportionately affects residents of Appalachia, particularly those residing in Central Appalachia. Asthma is particularly burdensome to Central Appalachian residents regarding cost and disability. Improving our understanding of how to mitigate these burdens requires understanding the factors influencing asthma control among individuals with asthma living in Central Appalachia, specifically rural Kentucky. METHODS: This community-based, cross-sectional epidemiologic study used survey data to identify characteristics associated with uncontrolled and controlled asthma. The designation of "uncontrolled asthma" was based on a self-report of ≥ 2 asthma exacerbations in the past year. Individuals with ≤ 1 or no exacerbations were considered to have controlled asthma. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests assessed the association between categorical variables and asthma control categories. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the impact of factors on the likelihood of uncontrolled asthma. RESULTS: In a sample of 211 individuals with self-reported asthma, 29% (n = 61, 46 females) had uncontrolled asthma. Predictors of uncontrolled asthma included depression (odds ratio 2.61, 95% CI 1.22-5.61, p = .014) and living in multi-unit housing (odds ratio 4.99, 95% CI 1.47-16.96, p = .010) when controlling for age, sex, financial status, and occupation. Being overweight or obese was not a predictor of uncontrolled asthma. Physical activity and BMI did not predict the likelihood of uncontrolled asthma. CONCLUSION: This study highlights significant challenges rural communities in Appalachian Kentucky face in managing asthma. Factors like depression, housing conditions, and a lack of self-management strategies play pivotal roles in asthma control in this population.

Prevalence of asthma triggers and control status among pediatric asthmatic patients in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study aims to assess the prevalence of asthma triggers and control status among pediatric asthmatic patients in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: From October 2015 to March 2016, an Arabic version of the Asthma Trigger Inventory questionnaire and asthma control test (ACT) were distributed to 200 parents of children diagnosed with asthma at the pulmonary clinic of King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 29. Descriptive statistics of the participants were presented in frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations for categorical variables. RESULTS: The survey data revealed that the most prevalent asthma triggers among pediatric asthmatic children in Saudi Arabia were Arabic incense (Bakhour) with a mean score of 3.76 (±1.3), followed by being excited 3.70 (±1.5), and stress at home 3.58 (±1.4). Furthermore, the degree of asthma control among children with asthma in Saudi Arabia was 72.0% with a mean score of 17.7 (±4.7) for the ACT, indicating partial degree of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Arabic incense (Bakhour) and psychological stimuli emerged as significant determinants of asthma triggers in Saudi Arabian children diagnosed with asthma. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underpinning the response to Arabic incense (Bakhour).

Are nighttime respiratory symptoms assessed by asthma control test affected by comorbidities?

OBJECTIVE: Nocturnal symptoms are common in the asthmatic population, reflecting an exaggerated airway narrowing overnight due to several factors; it is questioned to what extent the awakenings documented in the clinical assessment of asthma control are due to the disease itself or to comorbidities. To answer this question, we aimed to evaluate to what proportion rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux and the likelihood of being affected by OSAS were related to poor asthma control, by means of ACT evaluation. METHODS: Asthmatics attending the outpatient clinic were enrolled and administered the following questionnaires: ACT, Total 5 Symptom Score, GERD Impact Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire. RESULTS: One-hundred consecutive patients (M/F: 42/58, mean age 52 ± 15 years) were recruited. According to the ACT findings, 14 asthmatics resulted as fully controlled (FC, ACT equal to 25), 55 partially controlled (PC, 25 < ACT >19) and 31 as uncontrolled (UC, ACT <19). GERD was not associated with the ACT score neither did rhinitic symptomatology. On the other hand, the PSQI scores appeared to significantly increase with the lack of symptom control: FC, 2.0 (1-4); PC, 3.5 (2-5); UC, 6.6 (4-8) (p = 0.002). The SA-SDQ questionnaire results significantly increased with the loss of asthma control: FC, 11.0 (9-12); PC, 12.5 (10-14); UC, 15.1 (14-16) (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm and extend previous findings showing that there is a higher likelihood that underlying unknown sleep disturbances worsen asthma control, suggesting that a more comprehensive assessment is necessary to clarify the cause of nocturnal symptoms in asthma.

Application of different counseling strategies for better adult asthma control.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of three distinct counseling methods to determine the most effective approach. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study with a two-month follow-up, A group of non-smoking adults, aged 19-60 years, were randomly collected at outpatients clinic with prior asthma diagnosis, based on the forced expiratory volume in one seconds to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) and the guidelines outlined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), At the baseline assessment, all patients, underwent FEV1/FVC measurements, asthma symptom evaluations using Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and GINA symptoms control assessment questionnaire, and assessment of pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) usage. The patients were divided into three groups, each assigned a distinct counseling strategy: traditional verbal counseling, advanced counseling utilizing the Asthma smartphone-application, and a combination of advanced-verbal counseling. We conducted a two-month monitoring period for all three groups. RESULTS: Significant differences (p < .001) were observed among the three counseling groups in ACT, FEV1/FVC ratio, and GINA symptoms control assessment scores from the first month to the second month visit. Regarding ACQ, the study unveiled a noteworthy disparity in ACQ scores during the second week, with a significant difference (p = .025) observed between the verbal and advanced-verbal counseling groups. Similarly, a significant difference (p = .016) was noted between the advanced counseling group and the advanced-verbal counseling groups. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that the combining advanced-verbal counseling by incorporating the Asthma smartphone-application alongside traditional verbal counseling is a more effective approach for improving asthma control in adults.

Improving Asthma Control Test completion rates across a multi-site pediatric pulmonary clinic network: a quality improvement initiative.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing asthma control is an essential part of the outpatient management of children with asthma and can be performed through validated questionnaires such as the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Systematic approaches to incorporating the ACT in outpatient visits are often lacking, contributing to inconsistent completion rates. We conducted a quality improvement initiative to increase the proportion of visits where the ACT is completed for children with asthma in our multi-site pediatric pulmonary clinic network. METHODS: We developed an intervention of sending the ACT questionnaire to patients and caregivers through the electronic patient portal to complete prior to their visits. This strategy was first piloted at one clinic beginning in July 2020 and then expanded to 5 other clinics in the network in October 2020. Our outcome measure was average monthly proportion of visits with a completed ACT, tracked using statistical process control charts. The process measure was method of ACT completion tracked using run charts. RESULTS: At the pilot clinic, average monthly completion rate rose within 3 months of the intervention from 27% to 72% and was sustained more than 22 months. Completion across all clinics increased from 57% pre-intervention to 76% post-intervention. Importantly, the intervention did not rely on clinic staff to administer the questionnaire and did not interfere with existing clinic flow. CONCLUSION: An intervention of delivering the ACT electronically to patients and caregivers for completion prior to visits led to a rapid and sustained improvement in ACT completion rates across a large, pediatric pulmonary clinic network.

Effect of maternal knowledge of asthma management on quality of life and asthma control among children with asthma: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mothers' knowledge about asthma management on quality of life and asthma control among children with asthma in Palestine. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out by mothers of children with asthma in Palestine in four major public hospitals. Mothers of a total of 220 were selected randomly via a computerized system. Data were collected using Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life (PAQLQ), an Asthma Control Test (ACT), and the mothers' Self-Practices and Knowledge (SPK) of asthma management questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (V25). RESULTS: A total of 220 mothers of children with asthma were randomly selected and invited to participate but 182 agreed to participate, with a response rate of 83%. The mean age of participant children was 9.7 ± 2.72 years, and the mean age of mothers was 34.5 ± 9.6 years. The mean score of the QoL was 3.91(SD ± 1.61) out of 7. Most participant children had uncontrolled asthma with a total mean score of 14.13(SD ± 5.23) on the ACT. The mean score of mothers' SPK level was 2.12(SD ± 0.83) with a total mean score of 42.13 ± 3.68 out of 68, which indicated a moderate level of knowledge and there was a strong correlation between mothers' SPK and children's QoL. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation showed that mothers of children with asthma had moderate SPK, and the children had uncontrolled asthma with poor QoL. These findings suggest developing educational initiatives to enhance parents' asthma-related knowledge and skills to improve their children's asthma-related quality of life and asthma control.

The impact of insomnia and depression on asthma control.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality is often reported by individuals with asthma, particularly by those who have poor asthma control overall. However, there is little understanding of how underlying sleep disorders such as insomnia may impact asthma control. Furthermore, given the frequent overlap of depression and insomnia, the incremental impact of mood disorders and insomnia on asthma control remains unclear. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients at a large asthma center to further elucidate connections between these disease processes. Asthma patients with and without a diagnosis of insomnia were matched by age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, and biologic therapy. We evaluated the presence of concurrent obstructive sleep disorder, mood disorders, exacerbation frequency, and asthma control test (ACT) scores. RESULTS: From a cohort of 659 patients with an asthma diagnosis, 89 subjects with insomnia (13.5%) were matched 1:1 to patients without insomnia. Compared to those without insomnia, patients with insomnia were more likely to have a concurrent diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (57.3% vs. 18%, p < 0.001) and to have a diagnosis of depression or anxiety (68.5% vs. 11.4%, p < 0.001). Among insomnia patients, there was an average of 0.93 asthma exacerbations per year, compared to 0.59 exacerbations per year for those without insomnia (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Our data reveal a considerable interaction between insomnia, depression, and obstructive sleep apnea in individuals with asthma. The increased exacerbation rate suggests that underlying sleep and mood disorders negatively affect asthma control.

Pretreatment asthma control test score as a predictive score for clinical remission after bronchial thermoplasty in younger patients with severe asthma and preserved lung function.

OBJECTIVE: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) decreases the incidence of asthma exacerbations, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations among patients with severe asthma. Predictors of BT effectiveness remain unclear as its mechanism of action and invasiveness remain obscure. This study aimed to identify factors that could predict BT outcomes. METHODS: Two respiratory physicians treated 20 consecutive patients with severe asthma using BT. The patients were assigned to groups based on clinical remission following an expert consensus proposed in 2020. Predictors of clinical remission were analyzed using asthma control test (ACT) score, pulmonary function and blood tests, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide. RESULTS: At baseline, the median age was 44 years (interquartile range [IQR], 31.0-52.8), and pre-bronchodilator (pre-BD) percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1) was 85.9% (IQR, 74.8-100.5). Six (30%) patients achieved clinical remission. Among the patients treated with biologics, 20% had clinical remission, and 20% discontinued biologic therapy. The pre-BT ACT score was significantly lower in the group with than without remission (11.0 [IQR, 8.0-14.5] vs. 15.0 [IQR, 11.0-17.3], p = .016). Adverse events did not significantly differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use clinical remission as a criterion for evaluating BT efficacy. The pre-BT ACT score might a the predict response to BT in younger adult patients with severe asthma and pre-BD %FEV1 ≥ 70%.

Mild asthma: Conundrums, complexities and the need to customize care.

Mild and moderate asthma cover a wide range of asthma presentations, phenotypes and symptom burden, and account for the majority of people with asthma worldwide. Mild asthma has been difficult to define because of its heterogeneity and wide spectrum of impact and outcomes, including being associated with severe exacerbations. Assessment of mild-moderate asthma is best made by combining asthma symptom control and exacerbation risk as the principle means by which to determine treatment needs. Incontrovertible evidence and guidelines support treatment initiation with anti-inflammatory medication, completely avoiding reliever-only treatment of mild asthma. Shared decision making with patients and a treatable traits approach will ensure that a holistic approach is taken to maximize patient outcomes. Most importantly, mild asthma should be regarded as a reversible, potentially curable condition, remaining in long-term remission through minimizing triggers and optimizing care.

Contemporary Concise Review 2023: Asthma.

Asthma research and management needs to meet the priorities of the end user-patients, carers and clinicians. A better understanding of the natural history of asthma and the progression of disease has highlighted the importance of early identification of patients with asthma and the potential role of early intervention. Management of mild asthma requires a consistent approach with the same detail and consideration used when managing severe disease. Evidence around treatable traits approaches continues to evolve, supporting the role of a personalized medicine in asthma. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) stewardship continues to be an urgent issue in asthma management. Strategies to taper OCS doses and the implementation of biologic therapies for their steroid sparing benefits will be important steps to address this problem. The concept of remission in asthma provides an ambitious target and treatment outcome.

Treatable traits and exacerbation risk in patients with uncontrolled asthma prescribed GINA step 1-3 treatment: A nationwide asthma cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Uncontrolled asthma in patients treated for mild/moderate disease could be caused by non-pulmonary treatable traits (TTs) that affect asthma control negatively. We aimed to identify demographic characteristics, behavioural (smoking) and extrapulmonary (obesity, comorbidities) TTs and the risk for future exacerbations among patients with uncontrolled asthma prescribed step 1-3 treatment according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). METHODS: Twenty-eight thousand five hundred eighty-four asthma patients (≥18 y) with a registration in the Swedish National Airway Register between 2017 and 2019 were included (index-date). The database was linked to other national registers to obtain information on prescribed drugs 2-years pre-index and exacerbations 1-year post-index. Asthma treatment was classified into step 1-3 or 4-5, and uncontrolled asthma was defined based on symptom control, exacerbations and lung function. RESULTS: GINA step 1-3 included 17,318 patients, of which 9586 (55%) were uncontrolled (UCA 1-3). In adjusted analyses, UCA 1-3 was associated with female sex (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.27-1.41), older age (1.00, 1.00-1.00), primary education (1.30, 1.20-1.40) and secondary education (1.19, 1.12-1.26), and TTs such as smoking (1.25, 1.15-1.36), obesity (1.23, 1.15-1.32), cardiovascular disease (1.12, 1.06-1.20) and depression/anxiety (1.13, 1.06-1.21). Furthermore, UCA 1-3 was associated with future exacerbations; oral corticosteroids (1.90, 1.74-2.09) and asthma hospitalization (2.55, 2.17-3.00), respectively, also when adjusted for treatment step 4-5. CONCLUSION: Over 50% of patients treated for mild/moderate asthma had an uncontrolled disease. Assessing and managing of TTs such as smoking, obesity and comorbidities should be conducted in a holistic manner, as these patients have an increased risk for future exacerbations.

Utility of exhaled nitric oxide to guide mild asthma treatment in atopic patients and its correlation with asthma control test score: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is used for the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma, although its utility to guide treatment and its correlation with other tools is still under discussion. We study the possibility to withdraw inhaled corticosteroid treatment in atopic patients with mild asthma based on the FeNO level, as well as to study its correlation with other clinical control tools. METHODS: Prospective and randomized study including atopic patients aged 18 to 65 with mild asthma, stable, on low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment, who had their treatment withdrawn based on a FeNO level of 40 ppb. Patients were randomized into two groups: control group (treatment with ICS was withdrawn regardless of FeNO level) and experimental group (according to the FeNO levels, patients were assigned to one of two groups: FeNO > 40 ppb on treatment with budesonide 200 mcg every 12 h and SABA on demand; FeNO ≤ 40 ppb only with SABA on demand). Follow-up was conducted for one year, during which medical assessment was performed with FeNO measurements, asthma control test (ACT), lung function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and RV/TLC), and recording of the number of exacerbations. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included, with a mean age of 39.92 years (SD 13.99); 46 patients were assigned to the control group, and 46 patients to the experimental group. The number of exacerbations was similar between the groups (p = 0.301), while the time to the first exacerbation was significantly shorter in the control group (30.86 vs. 99.00 days), p < 0.001, 95% CI (43.332-92.954). Lung function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and RV/TLC) showed no differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Both FeNO and ACT showed significant changes in the groups in which ICS was withdrawn (p < 0.05 for both parameters). A significant negative correlation was observed between FeNO and ACT (r = -0.139, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In atopic patients with mild asthma, withdrawal of ICS based on an FeNO of 40 ppb led to worsened symptoms but without changes in lung function tests or an increase in exacerbations. There was a negative correlation between FeNO values and symptomatic control measured by the ACT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Number: 2012-000372-42. Start Date: 2012-07-23. Trial registered prospectively ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2012-000372-42 ). This study adheres to CONSORT guidelines of randomised control trials.

Asthma medication adherence, control, and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nonadherence to therapies and psychological disorders are associated with poor asthma control. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, asthma control, and adherence to inhalers and to investigate whether there is an association of anxiety and depressive symptoms with adherence to inhalers and asthma control. METHODS: We measured anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in patients with asthma. Asthma Control Test and the 10-Item Test of Adherence to Inhalers Scale were used to assess levels of asthma control adherence to inhalers, respectively. Univariate and multivariate regression models assessed the associations of anxiety and depressive symptoms with adherence to inhalers and asthma control. RESULTS: A total of 287 patients completed the study, of whom 72% were female. The mean ± SD age and body mass index of our study population were 44 ± 13 years and 29 ± 7.2 kg/m2, respectively. Poor adherence to inhaler use was highly prevalent (49.8%; 95% CI: 43.8 to 55.7). The prevalence of anxiety, depression and poor asthma control was 27.2% (95% CI: 22.1 to 32.7), 20.9% (95% CI: 16.3 to 26.1), and 22.7% (95% CI: 17.9 to 27.9), respectively. We found a negative relationship between asthma control and anxiety, and depressive symptoms (adjusted ß: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.36 to -0.14; p < 0.001 and adjusted ß: -0.29; 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.18; p < 0.001, respectively). A negative relationship was also observed between adherence to inhalers and anxiety and depressive symptoms (adjusted ß: -0.34; 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.22; p < 0.001 and adjusted ß: -0.36; 95% CI: - 0.48 to - 0.24; p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of uncontrolled asthma symptoms and poor adherence to inhalers and their impact on anxiety and depression levels among patients with asthma point to the need for early screening for psychological symptoms and recognition of nonadherence as part of asthma assessment and management plan in primary care in Saudi Arabia to avoid further worsening of asthma symptoms. Further studies are needed to explore the effectiveness of specific psychoeducational interventions and investigate the long-term impact of early psychological symptom detection on asthma outcomes.

Impact of the implementation of a telemedicine program on patients diagnosed with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is one of the most common respiratory ailments worldwide. Despite broad understanding of the illness and of the available therapeutic options for it, patients with serious asthma suffer poor monitoring of their illness in 50% of cases. AIM: To assess the impact of the implementation of a mobile application (ESTOI) to control asthma in patients diagnosed with the illness, their adherence to treatment, and their perceived quality of life. METHODOLOGY: Randomized clinical trial with 52 weeks' follow-up of patients with asthma seen in a specialized hospital for their treatment in Spain. Some 108 included patients will be divided into two groups. The intervention group will undergo more exhaustive follow-up than normal, including access to the ESTOI application, which will have various categories of attention: control of symptoms, health recommendations, current treatment and personalized action plan, PEF record, nutritional plan, and chat access with a medical team. The asthma control questionnaire ACT is the main assessment variable. Other variables to be studied include an adherence test for the use of inhalers (TAI), the number of exacerbations, maximum exhalation flow, exhaled nitric oxide test, hospital anxiety and depression scale, asthma quality-of-life questionnaire, forced spirometry parameters (FVC, FEV1, and PBD), and analytic parameters (eosinophilia and IGE). The data will be collected during outpatient visits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06116292).

Can an educational intervention in the context of inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation improve asthma self-management at work? A study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Asthma self-management (e.g., trigger avoidance or correct medication use) is a cornerstone of therapy. Its successful implementation in everyday working life is determined by psychosocial working conditions, in particular by support from superiors and colleagues and the job decision latitude (i.e., when and how to carry out which tasks). To empower individuals with asthma to modify their working conditions, employees need to use certain communication skills and acquire specific knowledge. Both could be taught as part of patient education during pulmonary rehabilitation. Therefore, the aim of the planned study is the development and multicentre implementation of an education module for individuals with asthma during their rehabilitation and to generate evidence on its effectiveness. METHODS: Participants (n ≥ 180) will be recruited, randomized into an intervention and a control group, trained and surveyed in two rehabilitation clinics. The intervention group will receive the supplementary patient education module "Asthma and Work" while the control group will participate in a program on " Eating behaviour" (both 2 × 50 min). The effectiveness of the intervention will be examined based on pre-post measurements (T1 and T2) and a 3-month follow-up (T3). We will consider behavioural intention (T2) and asthma self-management at work (T3) as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes will include self-management-related knowledge, self-efficacy, number of sick days, number of exacerbations, asthma control (Asthma Control Test), asthma-related quality of life (Marks Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire), and subjective employment prognosis (Brief Scale Measuring the Subjective Prognosis of Gainful Employment). The pre-post comparisons are to be evaluated using univariate analyses of covariance. DISCUSSION: Improving asthma self-management at work could increase the work ability and social participation of employees with asthma. This could reduce costs, e.g. in terms of asthma-related sick leave. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (ID: DRKS00031843).