Asthma in Children - SOFIA BMJ Flashcards
What are the key elements in the history gathering for asthma diagnosis?
Key symptoms include intermittent wheezing, cough (especially at night), and shortness of breath, with assessment of symptom variability and triggers such as allergens, exercise, and cold air.
What should be noted during the physical examination for asthma?
Look for signs of respiratory distress, wheezing, and features of atopic diseases like eczema. Note that physical signs may be absent outside of exacerbation periods.
What diagnostic investigations are used in asthma?
Include spirometry (assessing reversibility with bronchodilators for airflow limitation), peak expiratory flow variability, and possibly fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) for eosinophilic inflammation.
What are the key components of acute management of asthma?
Use of short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) for immediate relief.
How is long-term control of asthma managed?
Implement a step-wise approach using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), adding long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) or leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) if control is insufficient.
What are important considerations in adjusting asthma management plans?
Regular review and adjustment of therapy based on control status and side effects, considering patient preference and minimizing treatment burden.
What educational and monitoring strategies are essential in asthma management?
Provide patient education on inhaler techniques, asthma action plans, and regular follow-ups to monitor control and adjust treatment.
How does understanding asthma pathophysiology assist in its management?
Asthma involves airway inflammation, reversible airway obstruction, and hyper-responsiveness, leading to variable respiratory symptoms which guide treatment strategies.
What is the role of lab tests like FeNO in asthma management?
FeNO tests assess eosinophilic airway inflammation and help in tailoring asthma therapy, particularly anti-inflammatory treatments.
What factors influence the prognosis of asthma?
Factors affecting prognosis include control of symptoms, frequency of exacerbations, response to treatment, and presence of comorbid conditions like allergies.
