Respiratory disease

Question 1

Curing respiratory disease

Answer 1

There is no cure for asthma and COPD

Diseases are managed requiring long-term pharmacotherapy

Question 2

Aims of therapy

Answer 2

Improve quality of life
Limit disease progression
Reduce hospitalisations
Symptom control

Question 3

Definition of asthma

Answer 3

A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways where inflammatory symptoms are usually associated with widespread variable airway obstruction and an increase in airway response to a variety of stimuli

Question 4

Why does asthma make it difficult to breathe?

Answer 4

Structure of airway naturally changes if no intervention, need higher pressure in order to move air, can only generate pressure by breathing out, control mucus production

Question 5

Prevalence

Answer 5

5.4 million people in the UK with asthma, 3 people die from asthma every day, 75% of asthma hospital admissions are avoidable, up to 90% of asthma deaths are preventable

Question 6

Benefits of aerosol delivery

Answer 6

Drugs can be delivered directly to the lungs

Systemic concentration is low

Question 7

Challenges of aerosol delivery

Answer 7

Formulation is very tricky
Delivery devices are not easy to use correctly
Disease progression may limit delivery