The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
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The interval between bronchodilator administration and post-bronchodilator lung function testing is critical for accurate interpretation of the bronchodilator response. The time course of this response in children is not well documented. We aimed to document the time taken to achieve maximal lung function following salbutamol inhalation. ⋯ We conclude that a minimal interval of 20 minutes, before re-testing spirometry, is required to document the maximal response to bronchodilators in the majority of asthmatic children.
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This study aimed to evaluate the association of body fatness and sedentary status with asthma and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A questionnaire study elicited episodes of respiratory symptoms and data on lifestyle and anthropometric parameters in 1329 5th grade schoolchildren. Results showed that 12.4% of boys and 9.5% of girls had physician-diagnosed asthma, whereas 15.1% of boys and 12.4% of girls had suspected asthma. ⋯ Higher body mass index (BMI) was significantly correlated with longer TV-watching time per day in girls and longer self-reported sedentary time per weekday in boys (p < 0.05). In summary, schoolchildren who are at risk of overweight or overweight and/or have more sedentary time have increased risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma. Weight and sedentary statuses of schoolchildren can affect their respiratory health.
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There is a wide range in the estimates of cost of asthma that are available in the literature. Given the growing prevalence of asthma and its associated healthcare resource use in the United States (U.S.), it is important to obtain current and precise cost estimates attributable to asthma treatment. The objectives of this study were to estimate the incremental direct expenditures associated with asthma in the U.S. ⋯ Given the prevalence of asthma among U.S. children and adults and its associated incremental expenditures, the annual direct medical expenditure attributable to asthma treatment is estimated at approximately $37.2 billion in 2007 U.S. dollars representing a significant portion of healthcare resource use in the U.S.