Caracterización clínico-espirométrica de pacientes asmáticos con síntomas nocturnos / Clinical-spirometric characterization of asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms

Introducción: Los síntomas nocturnos son frecuentes en asmáticos y pueden relacionarse con la gravedad, el grado de control del asma y la función pulmonar. Objetivos: Determinar las características demográficas, clínicas y espirométricas de pacientes asmáticos con síntomas nocturnos, que acuden a consulta externa de neumología. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en 50 pacientes asmáticos con síntomas nocturnos, atendidos por consulta externa en el Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico, en el período comprendido de mayo de 2017 a mayo de 2018. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (74,0 por ciento), la edad entre 40 y 59 años (52,0 por ciento), los antecedentes familiares de asma o alergia (60,0 por ciento) y múltiples comorbilidades asociadas (78,0 por ciento). La hipersomnia diurna estuvo presente en 80,0 por ciento de los casos, con una frecuencia significativamente elevada en pacientes con asma persistente moderada y severa, disminución de la reversibilidad aguda al broncodilatador, mal control de la enfermedad y limitación de la actividad física. Conclusiones: Los síntomas nocturnos en los pacientes asmáticos son frecuentes y se relacionan con la hipersomnia diurna, la gravedad del asma, el grado de control, la respuesta al broncodilatador y limitación de la actividad física(AU)

Introduction: Nighttime symptoms are frequent in asthmatics and can be related to severity, degree of asthma control and lung function. Objectives: To determine the demographic, clinical and spirometric characteristics of asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms, who go to an outpatient pulmonology clinic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms, they were assisted in the outpatient consultation at the Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico, from May 2017 to May 2018. Results: Female sex (74.0 percent), age ranging 40 and 59 years (52.0 percent), family history of asthma or allergy (60.0 percent) and multiple associated comorbidities (78.0 percent) predominated. Daytime hypersomnia was present in 80.0 percent of cases, with significantly elevated frequency in patients with moderate and severe persistent asthma, decreased acute reversibility to the bronchodilator, poor disease control, and limited physical activity. Conclusions: Nocturnal symptoms in asthmatic patients are frequent and are related to daytime hypersomnia, asthma severity, degree of control, response to the bronchodilator and limitation of physical activity(AU)

Vitamina D y asma / Vitamin D and asthma

The main source of Vitamin D is the bioconversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholecalciferol, however, the level of sun exposition has been drastically reduced during the last decades, so it is not unusual to find a high deficit of Vitamin D in the population. There is evidence to suggest that the deficit of Vitamin D is associated with a worse evolution of asthma and a greater risk of serious exacerbations. Possibly prenatal Vitamin D supplementation to pregnant mothers reduces the risk of wheezing and asthma in the offspring, and supplementation to asthmatic children could improve the evolution of the disease.

La principal fuente de Vitamina D es la bioconversión del 7-dehidrocolesterol a colecalciferol, sin embargo, el nivel de exposición solar se ha reducido drásticamente durante las últimas décadas, por lo que no es extraño encontrar un déficit elevado de Vitamina D en la población. Existe evidencia que sugiere que el déficit de Vitamina D se asocia a peor evolución del asma y mayor riesgo de exacerbaciones graves. Posiblemente la suplementación prenatal de Vitamina D a madres embarazadas reduzca el riesgo de sibilancias y asma en los hijos que nacerán, y la suplementación a niños asmáticos podría mejorar la evolución de la enfermedad.

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D in asthmatic children and its relation to disease severity

Background: Asthma is a chronic immunological disorder of the lungs. Vitamin D has several effects on the innate and adaptive immune systems. Little is known about vitamin D level and its impact on severity of asthma in children. This study aimed to determine vitamin D levels in asthmatics versus control children; studying the relation if any between these levels and asthma severity.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 asthmatic children and 20 apparently healthy children as controls. Asthma patients were divided into 3 groups (mild, moderate, severe; 20 each). Asthma severity was based on GINA criteria. Vitamin D level was measured to all study group.Results: The difference between the mean values of vitamin D level in control and asthmatic patients was statistically significant (p<0.001). This difference between control group and each asthma subgroup and between asthma subgroups versus each other were statistically significant being highest in control and lowest in patients with severe asthma (p<0.001). Differences in vitamin D status in control and all asthmatic patients were statistically significant (p<0.001). The difference between control group and each asthma subgroup according to vitamin D status were statistically significant (p<0.001). Concerning asthma subgroups the difference in vitamin D status between severe versus mild and moderate asthma were statistically significant (p<0.001), while between mild and moderate asthma it was not.Conclusions: Significantly lower vitamin D level in asthmatic children compared to controls and a differential decrease in vitamin D levels in asthmatic children being lowest in severe asthma was confirmed.

Efectos de la concentración de 25-hidroxi vitamina D sobre la gravedad y el control del asma en pacientes asmáticos en edad escolar / Effects of 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels on the severity and asthma control in school age asthma patients

Objetivo. Determinar la concentración de vitamina D en pacientes de entre 6 y 18 años de edad sometidos a un seguimiento por asma y la relación entre la concentración de vitamina D y el control y la gravedad del asma. Materiales y métodos. Se inscribió en el estudio a pacientes con asma y voluntarios sanos de entre 6 y 18 años de edad, asignados al grupo de pacientes y al grupo de referencia, respectivamente. Se registraron las características demográficas y los hallazgos clínicos de los pacientes, y se les realizó una prueba funcional respiratoria. Se estimaron el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la concentración de 25-hidroxi vitamina D (25(OH)D), calcio, fósforo, fosfatasa alcalina, inmunoglobulina E total y eosinófilos de todos los pacientes. La gravedad del asma y las condiciones de control se determinaron según los criterios de la Iniciativa Global para el Asma (Global Initiative for Asthma, GINA). Resultados. Se incluyó a 72 pacientes con asma y a 66 niños sanos. En comparación con el grupo de referencia, en el grupo de pacientes se detectó una menor concentración de vitamina D. En 38 (52,8%) niños del grupo de pacientes con asma se observó deficiencia de vitamina D; en este grupo, el control del asma era deficiente y la gravedad, significativamente mayor. No se observó una correlación significativa entre la concentración de vitamina D y el sexo, la obesidad, las pruebas funcionales respiratorias, las pruebas cutáneas, la concentración sérica de eosinófilos e inmunoglobulina E (IgE) total. Conclusión. La deficiencia y la insuficiencia de vitamina D fueron más frecuentes en los niños con asma, en comparación con los niños del grupo de referencia. Una menor concentración de vitamina D se asocia con un control deficiente del asma y una mayor gravedad de esta.

Background. The objective was to determine vitamin D levels in patients between the ages 6 and 18 years, followed for asthma, and the relation between vitamin D levels and asthma control and severity. Materials and Methods. Patients with asthma and healthy volunteers between the ages 6 and 18 years were enrolled into the study as patient and control groups, respectively. Patient demographic information and clinical findings were recorded; a respiratory function test was performed. Body mass index (BMI), 25(OH) D,calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, total IgE and eosinophil levels were determined for all patients. Asthma severity and control conditions were established based on GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) criteria. Results. Seventy two patients with asthma and 66 healthy children were included. Compared to the control group, decreased serum vitamin D levels were detected in patient group. Thirty eight (52.8%) patients in asthma patient group had vitamin D defficiency; in this group, asthma control was poor and asthma severity was significantly higher. No significant correlation was found between vitamin D levels and gender, obesity, respiratory functions, skin test, serum eosinophil and total IgE levels. Conclusion. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was higher in children with asthma, compared to the controls. Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with poor asthma control and increased asthma severity.

Mortalidad neonatal en Argentina: Análisis de situación de 2005 a 2014 / Neonatal mortality in Argentina: Situation analysis from 2005 to 2014

Introducción. La mortalidad neonatal (MN) comprende las defunciones ocurridas los primeros 27 días de vida. Es el componente de la mortalidad infantil que disminuyó menos en los últimos 50 años. El objetivo fue analizar la evolución y las características de la MN en Argentina. Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, ecológico de MN en Argentina entre 2005 y 2014, en el que se analizaron la evolución, las causas y la importancia de la prematurez y el bajo peso al nacer. Se utilizaron registros de la Dirección de Estadísticas e Información de Salud del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Resultados. La tasa de mortalidad neonatal descendió 19,2% (2005: 8,9%% 2014: 7,2%); su componente precoz (de 0 a 6 días), 20% (2005: 6,5%; 2014: 5,2%); y el tardío (de 7 a 27 días), 13% (2005: 2,3%; 2014: 2%). Las afecciones perinatales y las malformaciones congénitas fueron la causa de más del 95% de las defunciones neonatales en el período. El peso relativo de las primeras disminuyó; el de las segundas aumentó. Los nacidos vivos pretérmino y con bajo peso presentaron mayor riesgo de muerte neonatal. Se observó menor descenso de la tasa de mortalidad neonatal específica cuanto menor era la edad gestacional y el peso al nacer. Conclusión. En los últimos 10 años, se observó un importante descenso en la MN. Las afecciones perinatales y las malformaciones congénitas fueron la causa de casi todas las defunciones en este grupo etario. La MN estuvo asociada al bajo peso al nacer y la prematurez.

Background. The objective was to determine vitamin D levels in patients between the ages 6 and 18 years, followed for asthma, and the relation between vitamin D levels and asthma control and severity. Materials and Methods. Patients with asthma and healthy volunteers between the ages 6 and 18 years were enrolled into the study as patient and control groups, respectively. Patient demographic information and clinical findings were recorded; a respiratory function test was performed. Body mass index (BMI), 25(OH) D,calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, total IgE and eosinophil levels were determined for all patients. Asthma severity and control conditions were established based on GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) criteria. Results. Seventy two patients with asthma and 66 healthy children were included. Compared to the control group, decreased serum vitamin D levels were detected in patient group. Thirty eight (52.8%) patients in asthma patient group had vitamin D defficiency; in this group, asthma control was poor and asthma severity was significantly higher. No significant correlation was found between vitamin D levels and gender, obesity, respiratory functions, skin test, serum eosinophil and total IgE levels. Conclusion. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was higher in children with asthma, compared to the controls. Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with poor asthma control and increased asthma severity.

Calidad de vida de los niños asmáticos y de sus cuidadores que acuden a la división de alergia e inmunología del hospital de niños de córdoba, Argentina / Quality of life of children with asthma and their caregivers attending the division of allergy and immunology, children's hospital of cordoba, Argentina

Este es el primer estudio de la calidad de vida (CV) de los niños asmáticos y sus cuidadores en Córdoba, Argentina.Se evaluó la relación entre la calidad de vida del niño, el grado de severidad del asma y la calidad de vida del padre. Se aplicaron los cuestionarios: Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) y Pediatric Asthma Caregiver’s Quality of Lifenaire (PAQLQ) de la profesora Juniper a 60 binomios Questionnaire padre –niño asmático en el Servicio de Alergia e InmunologÍa Clínica del Hospital de Niños de la Santísima Trinidad de Córdoba, Argentina.Para el estudio, los datos fueron obtenidos de las historias clínicas, valoración GINA, espirometría realizada en el día de la aplicación de los cuestionarios.La severidad del asma del niño y la calidad de vida del mismo influyen en la calidad de vida de los padres. El dominio emocional de los niños es la variable más importante en la calidad de los respectivos padres. El promedio de la CV de los niños fue 5,63±1,47. La severidad del asma afectan tanto a la CV de los niños como la de sus padres. La CV de los padres estuvo más disminuida que en la de sus niños.

This is the first study of Quality of Life both asthmatic children and their caregivers in Córdoba, Argentina. The relationship between severity of children’s asthma and the quality of life of children with this disease and their caregivers were evaluated. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionaire (PAQLQ) and Pediatric Asthma Caregiver’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) were administered to 60 pediatric asthmatic patients and caregivers in the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service of the Hospital de Niños de la Santísima Trinidad de Córdoba, Argentina.Data was obtained from medical records, spirometry, GINA’s valuation and two quality of life (QL) questionnaires. The relationship between severity of children’s asthma and quality of life of the children and their caregivers were determined using Pearson’s correlation. The mean of patient’s QL was 5,91±1,17; the mean of caregivers’ QL was 5,63±1,47. The severity of asthma of the children impaired both the QL the children and their fathers. The fathers’QL was more impaired than their children. The emotional domain of the children was the most influential variable in the QL of their caregivers.

Factors for high-risk asthma in Taiwanese children.

Background: Asthma is one of the major causes of death in otherwise healthy young individuals. However, many of these deaths may have been prevented by more aggressive treatment. To determine factors correlated with a high risk of death in Taiwanese children with atopic asthma. Methods: Taiwanese children aged 5-18 years, diagnosed with atopic asthma were enrolled in the study. Atopic asthma was diagnosed and immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific to antigens from any 1 of 8 allergens was measured (i.e. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat and dog dander, cockroach, egg white, milk and fish). High-risk asthma was defined as asthma requiring admission to a hospital or a visit to an emergency department. The study tried to determine the association of high-risk asthma with allergy-related parameters (e.g. asthma severity, asthma score, total serum IgE levels, serum levels of allergenspecific IgE, eosinophil count) and pulmonary function in Taiwanese children. Results: One thousand one hundred and twenty-two Taiwanese children were evaluated. Those with higher asthma severity, asthma symptom score, serum levels of IgE specific to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, higher total serum IgE levels, and lower FEF25-75% (forced expiratory flow, 25-75%) values were considered to be members of the highrisk asthma group. Conclusions: The characterization of risk factors has enabled us to identify high-risk asthma in Taiwanese children, which will facilitate the treatment of these children in the future.

Reduction in Costs of drugs Used for the Treatment of Asthma by Spa Therapy in Relation to Disease Severity / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Effects of long-term spa therapy on reduction of the costs of drugs used for the treatment were examined in 23 patients with asthma. The costs of drugs used per patient for 1 year when spa therapy started (1997) were compared with the costs used for 1 year after spa therapy for 3 years (2000). 1. The decrease in the total costs of all drugs was \31, 910 in patients with stage 1, \74, 900 in those with stage 2, \113, 450 in stage 3, and \180, 910 in stage 4. The % decrease of the costs of drugs used was 34.2% in stage 1, 46.3% in stage 2, 37.1% in stage 3, and 42.4% in stage 4. The results showed that the reduction in the costs of drugs tended to increase as asthma severity increased, and that the % decrease of the costs was higher in stage 2 and 4, in which the %decrease was more than 40%. 2. The reduction of costs of each drug, bronchodilators, glucocorticoids, antiallergic agents, mucolytics, and antibiotics after spa therapy, was significant in patients with stage 3 and stage 4, whose severity was considerably increased. However, the decrease in the costs of these drugs after spa therapy was not significant in patients with stage 1 and 2. The reduction of the costs more than 50% was observed in bronchodilators, antiallergic agents, mucolytics, and antibiotics in patients with stage 4, in whom the reduction of the costs of these drugs was significant. The results obtained here suggest that the costs of drugs used for asthma treatment could be reduced by spa therapy in patients with more increased severity.

A polymerphism of the angiorensin-converting enzyme gene according to the asthma severity / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has a major role in the degradation of bradykinin, tachykinin, substance P which are associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. The other role of ACE is the genesis of angiotensin II which causes bronchial smooth muscle contraction. The deletion polymorphism of ACE gene(DDtype) may be related to the high serum level of ACE. OBJECTIVE: We studied to evaluate an association between the insertion /deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene and asthma, and its severity. Materials and methods: Sixty asthmatic patients and 44 healthy controls were enrolled. Severity of asthma was classified by the guideline of NHLBI/WHO workshop. The ACE genotypes of all the subjects were determined by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The distribution of ACE genotypes were not significantly different between healthy controls and asthma group (p)0.05). In asthmatic patients, the genetic polymorphism was similar between different severity groups (p) 0.05). Conchcsion: It is suggested that I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene may not be associated with development of asthma. The severity of asthma may not be influenced by I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene.