Executive Summary of the Recommendations on the Management of Asthma In Primary Care (2022) – New Updates

Background : Asthma is a heterogenous disease defined by the history of respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness) that vary over time and in intensity, along with variable expiratory airflow limitation. Despite an ever-increasing prevalence of asthma across all age groups, this condition remains poorly managed in India. Majority of the Indian patients remain undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed in general clinical practice and even those who get diagnosed, remain poorly or inadequately treated1,2. Since the last published 2020 Indian Medical Association (IMA) recommendations on the management of asthma in primary care, noteworthy critical changes have been recommended in relation to the diagnosis/management of asthma in international guidelines. Hence, there was a need to update the existing IMA recommendations. For the same, an expert group meeting was organized with family physicians having clinical experience in managing patients with asthma along with chest physicians and pediatricians. Important updates related to asthma diagnosis and its management were discussed and the final recommendation decisions were derived from the joint group discussion. Some of the key points derived from the discussion are mentioned below in the executive summary. For a detailed version of the new recommendations please click on the url.

Research in Clinical Sciences.

The scope and spectrum of medical research, including that in clinical sciences has tremendously expanded. It now extends from simple clinical observations to gathering of epidemiological data to the study of molecular mechanisms of diseases to evaluation of effects of therapeutic interventions. It is more meaningful to engage in multi-disciplinary and collaborative arrangements for the better achievements in health research. Translational approach involves the direct application of results of laboratory experiments to clinical use for benefit of patients. Besides clinical and experimental research, it is equally important to strengthen operational research for efficient implementation of health programmes and policies in the hospitals as well as in the community. There are several difficulties and constraints related to ethical principles, patient’s safety, confidentiality and costs. It is critically important to adhere to ethical principles and guidelines to maintain the moral and social perspectives. It is equally important to follow the scientific research methodology for the maximum gains from research experiments and projects. Interpretation of results of clinical experiments are hardly ever unequivocal, hence, there is a need for repetitive studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses to reach definitive conclusions. It is important for busy physicians to adopt a scientific temper of logic and engage themselves in searching for answers to different research questions. It is always gainful to spare some time and resources for research out of a busy clinical practice. It is also worthwhile to go through a formal training programme in research methodology to improve capacity and competence to conduct meaningful research.

Medical thoracoscopy for undiagnosed pleural effusions: Experience from a tertiary care hospital in north India.

Background and Aims. Medical thoracoscopy, also called pleuroscopy, has received renewed interest in the recent past for diagnostic as well as therapeutic uses. In this study, we describe our experience with thoracoscopy for undiagnosed pleural effusions. Methods. In a retrospective analysis of thoracoscopic procedures we performed between January 2007 and December 2008, yield of thoracoscopic pleural biopsy for achieving a diagnosis in undiagnosed pleural effusions, defined as pleural effusions with adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels less than 70 IU/L and negative pleural fluid cytology for malignancy on three occasions was evaluated. Complications of thoracoscopy were also analysed. Results. Overall diagnostic yield of thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was 74.3% in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions. Pleural malignancy was diagnosed in 48.6% of patients. There was only one case of mesothelioma and the rest were due to pleural metastasis. Lung cancer and breast cancer were the most common sites of primary malignancy. Tuberculosis was diagnosed with pleural biopsy in 22.8% of patients. We had low complication rate after thoracoscopy. Only two cases of empyema were observed. Conclusion. Medical thoracoscopy is a safe procedure and has good diagnostic yield in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions.

Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography: Utility in acute pulmonary embolism in providing additional information and making alternative clinical diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate the role of computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) in detecting additional information that may help in making an alternative clinical diagnosis in patients referred to CT for a suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and Methods: 50 patients (34 males, 16 females) in the age group of 18-72 years (mean 42.3 years), having high clinical suspicion of PE, underwent CTPA over a 2 year period. Chest x-ray, arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, echocardiography were done in all patients. All patients underwent at least one other imaging examination besides CTPA: ventilation perfusion scan, Doppler ultrasound or compression ultrasound (for DVT). All patients were followed for 3 months after completion of the diagnostic work up at baseline. The final diagnosis was achieved by a combination of clinical, imaging, and laboratory analysis, after adequate imaging, laboratory tests, and follow up. Result: CTPA helped correctly identify 29 of 30 patients with PE. In the remaining 20 patients (with no evidence of PE), CT-PA provided additional information (that suggested or confirmed alternate clinical diagnosis) in 15 patients (75%): pleural effusion (n=8), mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy (6), pneumonia/airspace consolidation (5), atelectasis/collapse (2), aspergilloma (1), malignancy (1), and others (2). Conclusion: CT-PA is highly specific and sensitive for diagnosis of PE. In addition, in a majority of patients who do not have PE, it also provides important ancillary additional information and helps in making an alternative clinical diagnosis.

Clinical profile, diagnosis and management of patients presenting with symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile and diagnostic methods in patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: Prospective assessment of clinical features, radiology and outcome of patients presenting with symptomatic PE over an 18-month period. RESULTS: During study period, 24 patients with a mean age of 39 +/- 12.1 years were diagnosed to have symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Dyspnoea (91.7%) and cough (58.3%) were the predominant complaints. Spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was performed in 21 (87.5%) patients and perfusion scans in 14 (58.4%) patients. Echocardiography performed in all patients revealed evidence of pulmonary artery hypertension and right ventricular dyskinesia in 20 (83.3%) and 15 (62.5%) patients, respectively. Thrombolysis with streptokinase was performed in 14 (58.3%) patients. All patients received low molecular weight heparin followed by warfarin. Of the 24 patients, 20 (83.3%) were discharged and are under regular follow-up; four patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary embolism is a common problem and can be easily diagnosed provided it is clinically suspected. Early diagnosis and aggressive management is the key to successful outcome.

Prevalence and risk factors for bronchial asthma in Indian adults: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information on field epidemiology of bronchial asthma in Indian adults. OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence of bronchial asthma in different regions of India and to define risk factors influencing disease prevalence. METHODS: A field study was conducted at Chandigarh, Delhi, Kanpur and Bangalore through a two stage stratified (urban/ rural) sampling and uniform methodology using a previously validated questionnaire. Asthma was diagnosed if the respondent answered affirmatively both to (a) whistling sound from chest, or chest tightness, or breathlessness in morning, and (b) having suffered from asthma, or having an attack of asthma in the past 12 months, or using bronchodilators. Besides demographic data, information on smoking habits, domestic cooking fuel used, atopic symptoms, and family history suggestive of asthma was also collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modelling was performed to calculate odds ratio of various potential risk factors. RESULTS: Data from 73605 respondents (37682 men, 35923 women) were analysed. One or more respiratory symptoms were present in 4.3-10.5% subjects. Asthma was diagnosed in 2.28%, 1.69%, 2.05 and 3.47% respondents respectively at Chandigarh, Delhi, Kanpur and Bangalore, with overall prevalence of 2.38%. Female sex, advancing age, usual residence in urban area, lower socio-economic status, history suggestive of atopy, history of asthma in a first degree relative, and all forms of tobacco smoking were associated with significantly higher odds of having asthma. CONCLUSION: Prevalence estimates of asthma in adults in this study, although lower than several previously reported figures, point to a high overall national burden of disease.

A multicentric study on epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relationship with tobacco smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Population prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its relationship with tobacco smoking, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and other variables were studied in adult subjects of 35 years and above at four different centres in India. Question-items for the diagnosis of COPD were included in the questionnaire used for the field study on asthma epidemiology. METHODS: Field surveys were conducted in both the urban and the rural populations at Bangalore, Chandigarh, Delhi and Kanpur with the help of a structured and validated questionnaire for diagnosis of asthma and COPD. Separate sets of questions were used for the diagnoses of the two diseases. A two-stage stratified sample design was employed where a village or an urban locality formed the first stage unit and a household formed the second stage unit. A uniform methodology was used at all the four centres and the analyses were done at the central coordinating centre--Chandigarh. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, defined by chronic bronchitis (CB) criteria, was diagnosed from the presence of cough and expectoration on most of the days for at least three months in a year for two consecutive years or more. RESULTS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was diagnosed in 4.1% of 35295 subjects, with a male to female ratio of 1.56:1 and a smoker to nonsmoker ratio of 2.65: 1. Prevalence among bidi and cigarette smokers was 8.2% and 5.9%, respectively. Odds ratio (OR) for COPD was higher for men, elderly individuals, lower socio-economic status and urban (or mixed) residence. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure among nonsmokers had an OR of 1.4(95% CI 1.21-1.61). Combined exposure to both ETS and solid fuel combustion had higher OR than for ETS exposure alone. CONCLUSIONS: Population prevalence of COPD is very high in India with some centre to centre differences. Smoking of both bidis and cigarettes, and ETS exposure among nonsmokers, were two important risk factors at all centres. It is important to employ uniform methodology for assessment of national burden and disease-surveillance programme.

Household environmental tobacco smoke exposure, respiratory symptoms and asthma in non-smoker adults: a multicentric population study from India.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a risk factor for childhood asthma. Its association with asthma in adults is less clear. METHODS: In a multicentric population study on asthma prevalence in adults, specific enquiries were made into childhood and adulthood exposure to household ETS, and its relationship with asthma diagnosis were analysed. RESULTS: From a total of 73605 respondents, 62109 were studied after excluding current or past smokers. Overall observed prevalence of asthma was 2.0% (men 1.5%,women 2.5%, p < 0.001). Of all asthma patients, history of ETS exposure was available in 48.6 percent. Prevalence of asthma in the ETS exposed subjects was higher compared to non-exposed individuals (2.2% vs 1.9%, p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a higher risk of having asthma in persons who were exposed to ETS compared to those not exposed (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38) after adjusting for age, gender, usual residence, exposure to biomass fuels and atopy. Stratification of ETS exposure revealed that exposure during childhood and both during childhood and adulthood were significantly associated with asthma prevalence. Exposure only in adulthood was not a significant risk factor (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.95-1.33). Persons reporting combined environmental tobacco smoke exposure from parents during childhood and spouse during adulthood had highest risk of having asthma (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.38-2.07). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure was also significantly associated with prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, cough and breathlessness. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental tobacco smoke exposure during childhood is an important risk factor for asthma and respiratory symptoms in non-smoking adults.

Tobacco smoking in India: prevalence, quit-rates and respiratory morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Population prevalence of tobacco smoking especially with reference to detailed habits such as the amount smoked, the smoking forms, quit-rates and relationship with demographic variables were studied at four different centres in India along with the study on epidemiology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: The study population included adults of over 15 years of age selected with two-stage stratified random sample design. A specifically designed questionnaire was used for the study. RESULTS: There were 11496 (15.6%) ever smokers in the study sample of 73605 subjects. Among 37682 males, 10756 (28.5%) were ever smokers and among 35923 females, 740 (2.1%) were ever smokers. Bidi was the commonest form of smoking, more so in the rural areas. The mean number of cigarettes/bidis smoked per day was 14 (+/- 11.5) and the mean age of starting smoking was 20.5 (+/- 20.0) years. Increasing age, low socio-economic status and rural residence were important factors associated with smoking. Vigorous anti-tobacco measures under the tobacco control programmes yielded only a quit-rate of 10 percent. Nearly 14% of ever smokers had some respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of population in India has current or past smoking habit with higher prevalence among males than females. The quit-rates have been low in spite of the various anti-tobacco measures. There is a significant respiratory morbidity associated with smoking.