2. Definition
It is a chronic inflamatory disorder due
to hyperresponsiveness of airways
characterized by dysponea,
cough,wheezing and chest tightness
with variable airway obstruction.
4. Child-onset asthma
– Associated with atopy
– IgE directed against common
environmental antigens (house-dust
mites, animal proteins, fungi
– Viral wheezing Infants/children,
allergy/allergy history associated with
continuing asthma through childhood
5. Adult-onset asthma
– Many situations
– Allergens important
– Non-IgE asthma have nasal polyps,
sinusitis, aspirin sensitivity or NSAID
sensitivity
– Idiosyncratic asthma less understood
6. Adult-onset asthma
– Occupational exposure
animal
products, biological enzymes, plastic
resin, wood dusts, metal
removal from workplace may improve
symptoms although symptoms persist in some
7. Pathophysiology
Airway limitation usually reversible
Airway hyperreactivity
Airway inflamation
With increased severity and chronicity
remodelling,fibrosis and fixed narrowing of airways
and decreased response to drugs.
8. Airway Inflammation
More often triggered by infections and chronic allergies.
IgE mediated triggering mast cell release.
Causes “fixed” obstruction not responsive to albuterol and
more often has an inspiratory component.
Strong genetic contribution.
Needs steroids.
9. Airway hyperresponsiveness
Primarily smooth muscle mediated.
Can occur at any age.
Reversible with albuterol. Primarily expiratory wheezes.
Results in air trapping / obstruction (can be quantified on
PFT’s).
Variable throughout lungs. May cause atelectasis on xray.
Primary process for wheezing due to cold air, exercise,
pet allergens.
14. Common Triggers
Infections: viral respiratory illness
(rhinovirus, influenza, RSV, parainfluenz
a, human metapneumovirus), sinus
infections
Allergens: seasonal allergens, indoor
allergens, pets
Irritants: cigarette smoke, wood
smoke, other pollutants, weather
changes
15. Diagnosis
Compatible history plus either/or
FEV more than15% following
bronchodilator therapy.
More than 20% diurnal variation on
PEFR diary for 3 days a week for 2
weeks.
FEV more than 15% decrease after 6
minutes of exercise.
17. Asthma Classification
Mild
intermittent
Day symptoms < 2/week,
Night symptoms < 2/month
Normal FEV , FEV/FVC normal
Mild
persistent
Day symptoms >2 per week but not daily,
Night symptoms> 3-4/month
Normal FEVFEV/FVC normal
Moderate
persistent
Daily symptoms, affect activity,
night symptoms > 1/weekFEV60-80%
FEV/FVC reduced < 5%
Continuous symptoms, limited activity,
Severe
persistent
FEV <60%FEV/FVC reduced >5%.
19. Pharmacologic Therapy
Long-term control medications
(Controllers)
Short term control medications
(Relievers)
– corticosteroids
inhaled
form
systemic steroids used to gain prompt control
of disease when initiating inhaled tx
– cromolyn sodium or nedocromil
mild-to-moderate
anti-inflammatory medications
21. Pharmacologic Therapy
Long-term control medications
– corticosteroids
inhaled
form
systemic steroids used to gain prompt control
of disease when initiating inhaled tx
– cromolyn sodium or nedocromil
mild-to-moderate
anti-inflammatory medications
(may be used initially in children)
preventive tx. prior to exercise or unavoidable
exposure to known allergens
24. Long-term control medications
– Long-acting beta2-agonists
used
concomitantly with anti-inflammatory
meds for long-term symptom control especially
nocturnal symptoms
prevents exercise-induced bronchospasm
– Methylxanthines
sustained-release
theophylline used as
adjuvant to inhaled steroids for prevention of
nocturnal symptoms
25. Long-term control medications
– Leukotriene modifiers
zafirlukast
- leukotriene receptor antagonist
zileuton - 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor is alternative
therapy to low doses of inhaled
steroids/nedocromil/cromolyn
alternative tx to low dose inhaled
steroids/cromolyn/nedocromil
recommended for >12yrs with mild persistent
asthma.
26. Quick relief medications
– Short acting beta2-agonists - relief of acute
symptoms
– Anticholinergics - may provide additive benefit
to beta2 drugs in severe exacerbation. May be
alternative to beta2-agonists
– Systemic steroids - moderate-to-severe
persistent asthma in acute exacerbations or to
prevent recurrence of exacerbations
27. Treatment/Long Term Control
Corticosteroids
– Most potent and effective
– Reduction in symptoms, improvement in
PEF and spirometry, diminished airway
hyperresponsiveness, prevention of
exacerbations, possible prevention of
airway wall remodeling
– Suppresses: cytosine production, airway
eosinophilic recruitment, chemical mediators
28. LABA
Long-acting beta-2 agonists
– Relax airway smooth muscle
– Duration of action >12 hrs
– Not used in acute exacerbations
– Adjunct to anti-inflammatory tx for longterm symptom control especially nocturnal
symptoms
29. Methylxanthines
– Provides mild-moderate bronchodilation
– Low dose has mild anti-inflammatory action
– Sustained release form used as alternative
but not preferred to long-acting beta2
agonists to control nocturnal symptoms
– Use may be necessary because of cost or
patient compliance
30. Leukotriene modifiers
– Leukotrienes are potent biochemical
mediators released from mast cells,
eosinophils, and basophils that:
contract
bronchial smooth muscle
increase vascular permeability
increase mucus secretions
attract & activate inflammatory cells in airways
31. Leukotriene modifiers
– Zafirlukast & zileuton (oral tabs)
improves
lung fx and diminishes symptoms &
need for short-acting beta2 agonists
– Studies in mild-moderate asthma showing
modest improvements
– Alternative to low-dose inhaled steroids for
pts. with mild persistent asthma
– Further study in of other groups needed
32. Asthma Treatment/Quick Relief
Short-acting beta2 agonists
– Relax airway smooth muscle and increase
in airflow in <30 minutes
– Drug of choice for treating symptoms and
exacerbations and EIB
– Use of >1 canister/mo indicates
inadequate control and indicates need to
intensify anti-inflammatory tx
– Regularly scheduled use NOT
recommended
33. Anticholinergics
– Cholinergic innervation important in
regulation of airway smooth muscle tone
– Ipratropium bromide (quaternary derivative
of atropine without its’ side effects)
– Additive benefit with inhaled beta 2agonists in severe asthma exacerbations
– Effectiveness in long-term management
not demonstrated
34.
Systemic steroids
– speed resolution of airflow obstruction
– reduce rate of relapse
Medications to reduce oral steroid
dependence
– Troleandomycin, cyclosporin, gold,
methotrexate, IV immunoglobulin,
dapsone, hydroxychloroquine
35. Intermittent Asthma
Step 1
– Short-acting inhaled beta 2 agonists PRN
IF
NEEDED >2 X/wk PATIENT SHOULD BE
MOVED TO THE NEXT STEP OF CARE
(exception is EIB or viral infections)
– Viral infections
mild
symptoms - beta 2 agonist Q 4-6 hr
moderate-to-severe symptoms - short course of
systemic steroids recommended plus above
36. Persistent Asthma
Mild, moderate or severe
– Daily long-term control recommended
Mild persistent asthma (step 2 care)
– Daily anti-inflammatory meds - inhaled
steroids (low dose) or cromolyn or
nedocromil
– Sustained release theophylline alternative
but not preferred
37.
Moderate persistent asthma (step 3
care)
– Increase inhaled steroids to medium dose
OR
– Add long-acting bronchodilator to a lowmedium dose of inhaled steroids
OR
– Increase to medium dose steroid then
lower dose & add nedocromil (+/-)
38.
Moderate persistent asthma (if not
adequately controlled)
– Increase to high dose inhaled steroids &
add long-acting bronchodilator (serevent or
theophylline)
39.
Severe persistent asthma (step 4)
– If not controlled on high dose of inhaled
steroids and long-acting bronchodilator
ADD oral systemic steroids on a
regularly scheduled, long-term basis
use
lowest dose
monitor closely
attempt to reduce or take off when control
established