The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
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Specific airway resistance (sRaw) is virtually independent of lung growth, height, and gender, thus facilitating longitudinal follow-up. ⋯ This retrospective study identifies a specific phenotype of asthmatic children that develops an impairment of lung function, confirming the results of a post hoc analysis of the Childhood Asthma Management Program study.
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An annual time frame for risk assessment may not account for the variable course of asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether excessive short-acting beta(2)-adrenergic agonist (SABA) dispensed quarterly was associated with asthma exacerbations in the subsequent quarter. ⋯ The risk of an asthma exacerbation was associated with excessive SABA use in the previous quarter. Assessment of excessive SABA dispensed during a calendar quarter can be used to identify patients at increased exacerbation risk in the subsequent quarter.
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There are few studies pertaining to asthma patients' views on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The driving question behind the study is why some asthma patients choose noncompliance to conventional western medicine and resort to other modalities, often deemed as being 'alternative,' 'complementary,' or 'integrated.' Does the patients' emancipation movement lead to greater awareness of the benefits of alternative medicine? Does the patients' identity as asthma sufferers play a role in their decision? ⋯ The author argues that asthma patients' noncompliance with (Western) medical regime and choice for alternative medical treatment of asthma is a matter of rational choice informed by evidence-based awareness. This evidence-based rationality particularly refers here to the patients' awareness of the rather controversial results of clinical trials of commonly used asthma medicines, particularly those containing elements of budesonide (Pulmicort), an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, and formoterol (Oxis, Foradil), a rapid-acting and long-lasting beta(2)-agonist (bronchodilator).