Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characterizes asthma as a chronic disease of the airways?
What characterizes asthma as a chronic disease of the airways?
- Narrowing of the trachea
- High levels of oxygen saturation
- Airway hyper-responsiveness (correct)
- Viral infection
Which of the following best describes an endotype of asthma?
Which of the following best describes an endotype of asthma?
- The inflammatory process behind asthma (correct)
- Observable symptoms and signs
- The genetic predisposition to the disease
- A group of patients with similar treatment response
In asthma, how is corticosteroid insensitivity determined?
In asthma, how is corticosteroid insensitivity determined?
- Absence of wheezing during a physical exam
- Improvement in FEV1 by more than 15% from baseline
- Lack of response to high-dose corticosteroids over a week (correct)
- Consistent normal results in spirometry tests
What is a possible characteristic of non-allergic eosinophilic asthma?
What is a possible characteristic of non-allergic eosinophilic asthma?
What does a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.70 typically indicate in asthma?
What does a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.70 typically indicate in asthma?
Which of these represents a phenotype of asthma?
Which of these represents a phenotype of asthma?
What is considered a hallmark of ongoing inflammation in asthma?
What is considered a hallmark of ongoing inflammation in asthma?
What does a mixed disorder in pulmonary function tests mean?
What does a mixed disorder in pulmonary function tests mean?
What patient response is the focal point of research surrounding beta-2 agonists?
What patient response is the focal point of research surrounding beta-2 agonists?
Which statement best explains the role of airway remodeling in asthma?
Which statement best explains the role of airway remodeling in asthma?
Flashcards
Asthma definition
Asthma definition
A chronic airway disease characterized by inflammation, reversible airflow obstruction, airway hyper-responsiveness, and airway remodeling.
Asthma inflammation
Asthma inflammation
The constant inflammation in the airways is the root cause of all asthma symptoms.
Asthma endotypes
Asthma endotypes
Different inflammatory processes in groups of patients with asthma (e.g., allergic, non-allergic, neutrophilic).
Asthma phenotypes
Asthma phenotypes
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Expiratory airflow obstruction
Expiratory airflow obstruction
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FEV1/FVC ratio
FEV1/FVC ratio
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Corticosteroid insensitivity
Corticosteroid insensitivity
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Irresponsiveness to beta-2 agonists
Irresponsiveness to beta-2 agonists
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Asthma treatment
Asthma treatment
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Airway remodeling
Airway remodeling
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Study Notes
Asthma Overview
- Asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by inflammation, reversible airflow obstruction, airway hyper-responsiveness, and airway remodeling.
- Inflammation is the root cause of all asthma aspects.
- Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, meaning different types exist, including different endotypes and phenotypes.
Asthma Endotypes
- Endotypes describe the inflammatory process behind observed patient characteristics.
- Five endotypes of asthma have been proposed: allergic eosinophilic, non-allergic eosinophilic, neutrophilic, paucigranulocytic, and mixed granulocytic asthma.
Asthma Phenotypes
- Phenotypes describe the clinical presentation of asthma in different patient groups.
- Five asthma phenotypes are proposed, based on clinical characteristics. Data from research exists for these phenotypes.
Asthma Symptoms
- Symptoms may be discordant
- Early symptom predominant (atopic, normal BMI, high symptom expression)
- Symptoms may be concordant
- Early onset, atopic asthma (Symptoms, inflammation, airway dysfunction)
- Other notable asthma symptoms include cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Asthma Treatment
-
Conventional therapy includes reliever and controller medications.
- Reliever medications (short-acting bronchodilators, beta-2 agonists) dilate the airways.
- Controller medications (corticosteroids, long-acting bronchodilators) reduce the underlying inflammation.
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Acute Asthma Exacerbation Treatment
- Inhaled bronchodilators: Beta-2 agonists or anticholinergics, possibly Heliox (helium and oxygen mixture), administered through MDI or nebulizer.
- Systemic corticosteroids: Prednisone, prednisolone, or methylprednisolone, sometimes intravenously.
- Subcutaneous epinephrine (1mg/mL, 1:1000 solution or Terbutaline is an alternative for children, but is no longer produced in large quantities and is expensive.
- Antibiotics indicated only when bacterial infection is suspected based on symptoms
- Magnesium sulfate: an airway smooth muscle relaxant, but use is controversial due to lack of confirmed efficacy and safety.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
- Obstructive disorders: Low FEV1/FVC ratio, low FEV1, normal TLC
- Restrictive disorders: Normal FEV1/FVC ratio, low TLC
- Mixed disorders: Low FEV1/FVC ratio and low TLC
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Description
This quiz explores the complexities of asthma, focusing on its characteristics as a chronic airway disease. You'll learn about the different endotypes and phenotypes of asthma, alongside their associated symptoms. Test your understanding of this heterogeneous disease and its implications for patient care.
