Asthma

Question 1

What is asthma?

Answer 1

It is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects the lung. It is characterised by narrowing and swelling of airways and production of excess mucus. It is characterised by breathing difficulty, shortness of breath and wheezing. In recent years there have been advances in asthma treatment but unfortunately there has been an increase in asthma mortality.

Question 2

What are different types of asthma?

Answer 2

• controlled asthma - controlled with treatment
• uncontrolled asthma - severe asthma which is uncontrolled at treatment or requires very high levels of treatment to be controlled
• Eosinophilic asthma
• Allergic asthma

Question 3

What is pathogenesis of asthma?

Answer 3

Asthma is characterised by complex mechanisms. After exposure to for example allergens, pollutants, microbes various cytokines are released for example TSLP. There is various immune cells involved: ILC2, Th2, mast cells, eosinophils and also IgE.

Question 4

Eosinophilic asthma?

Answer 4

Characterised by high level of eosinophils within the lung

Question 5

Allergic asthma?

Answer 5

IgE mediated

Question 6

Treatments for asthma?

Answer 6

• CRTH2 agonist (th2 cells)
• anti-TSLP
• anti-IL-5 (eosinophils)
• anti-IL-5R (eosinophils)
• anti-IgE
  It is important to use treatment suitable for particular type of asthma. For example anti-IgE for allergic asthma but anti-IL5 or anti-IL5R for eosinophilic asthma