clinical features of asthma in children and adults

Question 1

Describe the defining features and epidemiology of asthma, its proven and putative aetiological factors.

Answer 1

Wheeze, cough and shortness of breath

Question 2

Explain how to assess the severity of acute, severe asthma.

Answer 2

moderate- speaking, not tachicardiic, severe- can’t complete sentences, higher heart rate,
life-threatening- grunting, bradycardia, cyanosis, silent chest
near fatal- raised partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide

Question 3

Describe the major pathological features of asthma.

Answer 3

epithelial detachment, mucus gland hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltrate, bronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy/hypertrophy, and vascular changes.

Question 4

Differentiate the main causes of wheezing illness.

Answer 4

genes, interaction with environment and epigenetic( switching of genes on and off)

Question 5

Discuss possible reasons for the changing prevalence and severity of respiratory disease with child’s age and possible links with respiratory disease in adult life.

Answer 5

Early environment can cause asthma,

Question 6

Describe the symptoms and clinical patterns of asthma.

Question 7

Define the specific features to be included in the clinical history of asthma.

Answer 7

past medical history- childhood asthma, wheeze, eczema
drugs- current inhalers, beta-blockers, aspirin
family history- asthma or other atopic diseases
social history- tobacco, drugs, vaping, pets, occupations, psychological aspects

Question 8

Define the investigations used to diagnose asthma.

Answer 8

spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, Peak flow

full blood count, skin prick testing, chest X-ray

Question 9

risk factors for asthma

Answer 9

hereditary- mother most influenctal, risk increased if first generation of family members has asthma
smoking
occupation- painters, bakers and shellfish workers
obesity and diet