Asthmanow is undergoing a face lift. Look for a new site in the coming months.
CALENDAR AND UPDATES SEPTEMBER 2009
1. Calendar
2. Back to School: Asthma Related Resources
3. Swine Flu Resources
4. Asthma Updates
1. CALENDAR
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise.
September 18 9:30-11:30 Asthma Health Improvement-Asthma Educator Network Working Group, Catholic Medical Center Pulmonology Department, Notre Dame Pavillion. Contact Malone Cloitre at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, mcloitre@snhahec.org
The First Annual C. Everett Koop, MD Tobacco Treatment Conference, Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee VT. Register ONLINE at http://ccehs.dartmouth-hitchcock.org
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
October 20 NH Public Health Association Fall Forum
October 23 8:000-4:30, Autumn Logic 2009: Using EHR to Enhance the Patient-Centered Medical Home. Contact Traci Holmes at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, tholmes@snhahec.org
November 19 2nd Annual Breathe Fest, featuring the music of Adam Ezra Group, 7-9:30. Proceeds to benefit Breathe New Hampshire. FMI: www.tupelohall.com or 603-437-5100
2. BACK TO SCHOOL: ASTHMA RELATED RESOURCES
Research indicates that less than one-third of parents surveyed make sure their children are under medical supervision or talk to school administrators or school nurses about their child’s asthma. These results may help explain why emergency room and hospitalization rates spike in September. The following resources can help health professionals, parents, students and school personnel insure a safer start to the school year.
• The Centers for Disease Control’s Manage Asthma at School
• AsthmaNow’s School Resources
• AsthmaNow’s Parent’s Resources
• AsthmaNow’s Children & Teens Resources
• Health Professionals
• Asthma Tool Box
3. SWINE FLU (H1N1) RESOURCES
A flu vaccine for H1N1 is expected to be available in mid October. First in line for the vaccine include: pregnant women; infants’ caregivers and contacts; children ages 6 months through 24 years old; People up to 65 years old with medical conditions (asthma would be considered a qualifying condition); health care workers and emergency medical services workers. One of the best ways to prevent the flu is to wash your hands with soap and water, or with hand sanitizer, frequently. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
• Centers for Disease Control’s website Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu)
• New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services website on H1N1 (Swine Flu)
• Swine Flu Primer by Betsy McKay of the Wall Street Journal:
• Centers for Disease Control’s H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for Child Care Centers, Schools, Colleges and Universities http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/
• Cover and Wash Swine Flu Posters from Chronic Conditions Information Center of VT/NH
4. UPDATES
INSURANCE, MEDICAL PROVIDER DO NOT ASSURE ASTHMA CONTROL: A study of for 155 students with asthma in 19 elementary and middle schools in the Denver Public School system, where 90 percent had health insurance and 92 percent had a physician caring for their asthma, found that asthma control among the students was generally poor, but similar among students with and without health insurance. Thirty percent of those with insurance had persistent daytime symptoms, while 25 percent of those without insurance did. Fifty-seven percent of those with insurance had sought emergency care for their asthma, while 63 percent without insurance had sought emergency care. Only 30 percent of those with insurance used controller medications. There was no difference in asthma control between those who had private insurance and public insurance, such as Medicaid. Those with doctors more frequently reported persistent daytime symptoms and emergency care. Only 25 percent of those with doctors were on regular controller therapy compared to 20 percent of those with out a physician. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 8/09
INTERACTIVE ASTHMA EDUCATION PROGRAM REDUCES NEED FOR EMERGENCY CARE AND STEROID USE IN CHILDREN: Education on asthma management in children delivered in small, interactive groups improved asthma outcomes and the overall care of children with asthma, concludes a randomized study of 398 children, aged 3 to 16. Children who participated in the interactive education program were 38% less likely to require emergency care and required fewer courses of oral corticosteroids compared with the children who did not participate in the program. The intervention group participated in a 4-week asthma care program developed by the Children's Asthma Education Centre as well as their usual medical care. The materials included specific educational materials, personalized mailings to reinforce the program's key points and age-appropriate pamphlets. A key component was small-group interaction for children and their families to discuss successes and failures in managing their child's asthma. While the number of visits to the emergency department decreased in both groups in the year after the study, children in the intervention group made significantly fewer visits (.45 visits per child) compared with the control group (.75 visits). The likelihood of children in the intervention group requiring oral corticosteroids was reduced by 36%. As well, primary caregivers in this group missed significantly less work than the control group, suggesting the asthma was under better control. Canadian Medical Association Journal 8/09
STILL SEARCHING FOR PREDICTORS OF ASTHMA ATTACKS: A 46-week study, including 546 adolescents and young adults (ages 12 to 20 years old) in 10 cities across the United States, finds that an extensive set of clinical tests cannot successfully predict the future risk of asthma attacks in participants who both receive care based on current guidelines and adhere to treatment recommendations. This finding differs from previous reports suggesting that certain clinical findings and laboratory tests could help predict future asthma attacks. These earlier conclusions, however, were based on observations of patients with poorly controlled asthma who had not received care based on current guidelines. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 8/09
STRESSFUL EVENTS MAY WORSEN KIDS’ ASTHMA: When asthma and symptoms of depression coexist in kids, asthma may become worse, study findings suggest. Researchers studied the breathing patterns of 90 7- to 17-year-old boys and girls with asthma before and after they watched scenes from the movie ET: The Extraterrestrial. Half of the kids had symptoms of depression, in addition to asthma, while the other half did not. The children with both asthma and symptoms of depression were more likely to show greater airway resistance after watching troubling scenes from the movie. Those with depression consistently showed breathing patterns indicative of worsening asthma after watching distressing scenes in the movie. Distressed breathing was most pronounced during scenes of family distress, loss, and death. Parents of children with asthma should be aware of the possibility that stressful or emotionally troubling events may lead to worsening asthma episodes. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, July 2009
PREVALENCE OF NON ADHERENCE IN DIFFICULT ASTHMA: General Practitioner prescription refill records for the previous 6 months for inhaled combination therapy and short acting beta-agonists were compared to prescribed and expressed for 182 patients. Patient demographics, hospital admissions, lung function, oral prednisolone courses and quality of life data were analyzed to identify variables associated with reduced medication adherence. A significant proportion of patients with difficult to control asthma, remain non-adherent to corticosteroid therapy with only 35% filling inhaled medication prescriptions; and 88% admitting poor adherence with inhaled therapy after initial denial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 7/30/09
CAN MONTELUKAST SHORTEN PREDNIOLONE THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH MILD TO MODERATE ACUTE ASTHMA? A randomized double blind study of 130 children (2 to 17 years of age), with mild to moderate acute asthma, were studied to determine whether outpatient post stabilization therapy with montelukast produces more treatment failures than prednisolone. The rates of treatment failure were 7.9% in the prednisolone group and 22.4% in the montelukast group. Montelukast does not represent an adequate alternative to corticosteroids after outpatient stabilization in mild to moderate acute asthma. This population should receive oral corticosteroids after discharge. Journal Pediatrics 8/3/09
EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF ONCE-DAILY BUDESONIDE/FORMOTEROL: A double-blind study of 619 patients, 12 years and older with mild to moderate asthma, concludes that pulmonary function and asthma control were more effectively maintained with all budesonide/formoterol regimens vs once-daily budesonide and with twice-daily budesonide/formoterol at twice the daily formoterol dose vs both once-daily budesonide/formoterol doses. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009 Jul;103(1):62-72
Friday, September 4, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
NH Declares Air Quality Days 8/17/09
State Declares Air Quality Action Days
Unhealthy Air Pollution Levels Predicted for Today and Tomorrow
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) is expecting air pollution concentrations to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in Rockingham County, especially in coastal areas, on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18. DES officials are calling for Air Quality Action Days and advise sensitive individuals in these areas to take precautions to protect their health by limiting prolonged or heavy exertion. Sensitive individuals include children and older adults, anyone with heart or lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, and people who are active outdoors. Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged activities.
DES forecasts unhealthy concentrations of ground-level ozone (the main component of smog) for sensitive individuals in Rockingham County. In addition, concentrations of fine particle pollution are forecasted to approach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in southern and western areas of the state. The combination of the two pollutants may intensify health effects.
The expected unhealthy air quality is due to the persistence of high temperatures under sunny skies and light winds transporting pollution into New Hampshire from surrounding areas. Conditions are expected to improve on Wednesday as cooler, cleaner air moves into the region.
Symptoms of ozone exposure include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain when inhaling deeply, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of particle pollution exposure for people with heart disease may include chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. People with existing lung diseases may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as normal and may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. The severity of the health effects increases as ozone and fine particle concentrations increase. In addition to harmful health effects, fine particle pollution may create hazy conditions that reduce visibility.
For further information, contact DES at (603) 271-1370. For air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels in New Hampshire, call 1-800-935-SMOG or visit the DES website at www.airquality.nh.gov.
Unhealthy Air Pollution Levels Predicted for Today and Tomorrow
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) is expecting air pollution concentrations to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in Rockingham County, especially in coastal areas, on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18. DES officials are calling for Air Quality Action Days and advise sensitive individuals in these areas to take precautions to protect their health by limiting prolonged or heavy exertion. Sensitive individuals include children and older adults, anyone with heart or lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, and people who are active outdoors. Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged activities.
DES forecasts unhealthy concentrations of ground-level ozone (the main component of smog) for sensitive individuals in Rockingham County. In addition, concentrations of fine particle pollution are forecasted to approach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in southern and western areas of the state. The combination of the two pollutants may intensify health effects.
The expected unhealthy air quality is due to the persistence of high temperatures under sunny skies and light winds transporting pollution into New Hampshire from surrounding areas. Conditions are expected to improve on Wednesday as cooler, cleaner air moves into the region.
Symptoms of ozone exposure include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain when inhaling deeply, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of particle pollution exposure for people with heart disease may include chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. People with existing lung diseases may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as normal and may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. The severity of the health effects increases as ozone and fine particle concentrations increase. In addition to harmful health effects, fine particle pollution may create hazy conditions that reduce visibility.
For further information, contact DES at (603) 271-1370. For air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels in New Hampshire, call 1-800-935-SMOG or visit the DES website at www.airquality.nh.gov.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
CALENDAR AUGUST 2009
If you have an asthma related event coming up, and you would like it posted on this calendar, please send the date, place, time and contact information to margoc@tds.net Meetings listed below are open to all interested in attending.
August 3 10-12 noon, Air Quality and Schools Legislative Commission, Legislative Office Building, Concord NH, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/directions/
August 3-5 26th Annual School Nurse Institute, St. Anselm College. This year’s institute features a hald day program on asthma: Aug 3, 1-4:30 om, Asthma for School Nurses. FMI: go to St. Anselm’s website for program and registration information: http://www.anselm.edu/academics/depts/nursingconted
August 9 Annual Mud Hog Race, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford, NH Fundraiser for Breathe New Hampshire. FMI
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise.
September 18 9:30-11:30 Asthma Health Improvement-Asthma Educator Network Working Group, Catholic Medical Center Pulmonology Department, Notre Dame Pavillion. Contact Malone Cloitre at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, mcloitre@snhahec.org
The First Annual C. Everett Koop, MD Tobacco Treatment Conference, Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee VT. Register ONLINE
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
October 20 NH Public Health Association Fall Forum
October 23 8:000-4:30, Autumn Logic 2009: Using EHR to Enhance the Patient-Centered Medical Home. Contact Traci Holmes at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, tholmes@snhahec.org
November 19 2nd Annual Breathe Fest, featuring the music of Adam Ezra Group, 7-9:30. Proceeds to benefit Breathe New Hampshire. FMI: www.tupelohall.com or 603-437-5100
August 3 10-12 noon, Air Quality and Schools Legislative Commission, Legislative Office Building, Concord NH, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/directions/
August 3-5 26th Annual School Nurse Institute, St. Anselm College. This year’s institute features a hald day program on asthma: Aug 3, 1-4:30 om, Asthma for School Nurses. FMI: go to St. Anselm’s website for program and registration information: http://www.anselm.edu/academics/depts/nursingconted
August 9 Annual Mud Hog Race, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford, NH Fundraiser for Breathe New Hampshire. FMI
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise.
September 18 9:30-11:30 Asthma Health Improvement-Asthma Educator Network Working Group, Catholic Medical Center Pulmonology Department, Notre Dame Pavillion. Contact Malone Cloitre at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, mcloitre@snhahec.org
The First Annual C. Everett Koop, MD Tobacco Treatment Conference, Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee VT. Register ONLINE
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
October 20 NH Public Health Association Fall Forum
October 23 8:000-4:30, Autumn Logic 2009: Using EHR to Enhance the Patient-Centered Medical Home. Contact Traci Holmes at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, tholmes@snhahec.org
November 19 2nd Annual Breathe Fest, featuring the music of Adam Ezra Group, 7-9:30. Proceeds to benefit Breathe New Hampshire. FMI: www.tupelohall.com or 603-437-5100
Pediatric Asthma Management and Control 7/09
The NH Asthma Control program has recently posted a new report Asthma in New Hampshire: Pediatric Asthma Management and Control, July 2009.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Asthma Calendar and Updates 7/09
CALENDAR AND UPDATES JULY 2009
1. Calendar
2. Asthma Updates
1. CALENDAR
If you have an asthma related event coming up, and you would like it posted on this calendar, please send the date, place, time and contact information to margoc@tds.net Meetings listed below are open to all interested in attending.
July 15 1-3 pm, Healthy Schools Program Meeting, Local Government Center, Concord NH, http://www.nhlgc.org/LGCWebsite/index.asp
• 2 pm, Webinar on Maine Healthy Homes Strategic Planning Process. Contact Eileen Gunn at the New England Asthma Regional Council, egunn@hria.org
July 25 4-6 pm, Advocacy Round-up and Planning for 2009-2010, Breathe New Hampshire, Bedford NH, http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=193
August 3 10-12 noon, Air Quality and Schools Legislative Commission, Legislative Office Building, Concord NH, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/directions/
August 3-5 26th Annual School Nurse Institute, St. Anselm College. This year’s institute features a hald day program on asthma: Aug 3, 1-4:30 om, Asthma for School Nurses. FMI: go to St. Anselm’s website for program and registration information: http://www.anselm.edu/academics/depts/nursingconted
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise. http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=383
September 18 9:30-11:30 Asthma Health Improvement-Asthma Educator Network Working Group, Catholic Medical Center Pulmonology Department, Notre Dame Pavillion. Contact Malone Cloitre at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, mcloitre@snhahec.org
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
October 20 NH Public Health Association Fall Forum, , http://www.nhpha.org/
October 23 8:000-4:30, Autumn Logic 2009: Using HER to Enhance the Patient-Centered Medical Home. Contact Traci Holmes at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, tholmes@snhahec.org
2. ASTHMA UPDATES
FDA FLAGS PSYCHIATRIC RISKS OF ASTHMA DRUGS: New labels on popular asthma drugs like Merck's Singulair must highlight language about suicidal behavior, depression and anxiety seen in a small number of patients,. After 15 months of investigation, the Food and Drug Administration said Merck & Co. Inc., AstraZeneca and Cornerstone Therapeutics will have to raise label warnings about psychiatric problems reported by a handful of patients taking their drugs. "Patients and healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for neuropsychiatric events with these medications," the FDA said in a posting to its Web site. A spokeswoman for Merck said the language already appears in Singulair's label, but will be raised to the "precautions" section. It's now listed in a section about various side effects reported by patients. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048223.htm
ADULTS WITH ASTHMA NOT GETTING FLU SHOTS: According to The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey vaccination estimates for the 2006-2007 influenza season ranged from 26.9% in California to 53.3% in Tennessee with a median across all states of 43.1%. Influenza vaccination coverage was 33.9% for adults with asthma aged 18–49 years compared to 54.7% for adults with asthma aged 50–64 years. Among people aged 18–64 years without asthma, vaccination coverage was 28.8%. In addition, despite adjustments for a set of socio-demographic and access to-care variables, researchers found a gap of 8 to 10 percentage points between levels among non-Hispanic whites compared to levels among Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 37, Issue 2 (August 2009) http://www.ajpm-online.net/
OBESITY DOES NOT WORSEN ASTHMA BUT MAY REDUCE RESPONSE TO MEDICATIONS: Being overweight or obese does not make asthma worse in patients with mild and moderate forms of the disease, according to a study by National Jewish Health researchers, although it may reduce the response to medications. "By studying a well characterized group of patients with asthma, [1,256 patients ] we were able to determine that increased weight is not associated with more severe asthma. Although benefits can be obtained with weight loss in other diseases, these findings suggest that an improvement in asthma may not necessarily result from weight loss. "The findings also suggest that patients and physicians should be aware that obese asthma patients may not respond well to corticosteroids, the most successful controller medication for asthma, which can affect dosing decisions and choices of possible alternatives to steroids." Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 6/09 www.jacionline.org/
WAYS TO PREDICT EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA AND ITS SEVERITY WITHOUT AN EXERCISE CHALLENGE: Two Indiana University studies have explored the potential use of two simple tests for not only predicting whether someone has exercise-induced asthma (EIA) but also its severity, without subjecting the patient to an exercise challenge. One test involves measuring exhaled breath levels of nitric oxide. The other involved measuring the pH level of exhaled breath. Researchers found that both tests could be effective at predicting EIA and its severity. Both tests can be performed in a doctor's office while the patient is at rest.. American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting http://www.sciencedaily.com_ /releases/2009/05/090530172218.htm
1. Calendar
2. Asthma Updates
1. CALENDAR
If you have an asthma related event coming up, and you would like it posted on this calendar, please send the date, place, time and contact information to margoc@tds.net Meetings listed below are open to all interested in attending.
July 15 1-3 pm, Healthy Schools Program Meeting, Local Government Center, Concord NH, http://www.nhlgc.org/LGCWebsite/index.asp
• 2 pm, Webinar on Maine Healthy Homes Strategic Planning Process. Contact Eileen Gunn at the New England Asthma Regional Council, egunn@hria.org
July 25 4-6 pm, Advocacy Round-up and Planning for 2009-2010, Breathe New Hampshire, Bedford NH, http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=193
August 3 10-12 noon, Air Quality and Schools Legislative Commission, Legislative Office Building, Concord NH, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/directions/
August 3-5 26th Annual School Nurse Institute, St. Anselm College. This year’s institute features a hald day program on asthma: Aug 3, 1-4:30 om, Asthma for School Nurses. FMI: go to St. Anselm’s website for program and registration information: http://www.anselm.edu/academics/depts/nursingconted
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise. http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=383
September 18 9:30-11:30 Asthma Health Improvement-Asthma Educator Network Working Group, Catholic Medical Center Pulmonology Department, Notre Dame Pavillion. Contact Malone Cloitre at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, mcloitre@snhahec.org
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
October 20 NH Public Health Association Fall Forum, , http://www.nhpha.org/
October 23 8:000-4:30, Autumn Logic 2009: Using HER to Enhance the Patient-Centered Medical Home. Contact Traci Holmes at Southern NH Area Health Education Center, tholmes@snhahec.org
2. ASTHMA UPDATES
FDA FLAGS PSYCHIATRIC RISKS OF ASTHMA DRUGS: New labels on popular asthma drugs like Merck's Singulair must highlight language about suicidal behavior, depression and anxiety seen in a small number of patients,. After 15 months of investigation, the Food and Drug Administration said Merck & Co. Inc., AstraZeneca and Cornerstone Therapeutics will have to raise label warnings about psychiatric problems reported by a handful of patients taking their drugs. "Patients and healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for neuropsychiatric events with these medications," the FDA said in a posting to its Web site. A spokeswoman for Merck said the language already appears in Singulair's label, but will be raised to the "precautions" section. It's now listed in a section about various side effects reported by patients. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048223.htm
ADULTS WITH ASTHMA NOT GETTING FLU SHOTS: According to The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey vaccination estimates for the 2006-2007 influenza season ranged from 26.9% in California to 53.3% in Tennessee with a median across all states of 43.1%. Influenza vaccination coverage was 33.9% for adults with asthma aged 18–49 years compared to 54.7% for adults with asthma aged 50–64 years. Among people aged 18–64 years without asthma, vaccination coverage was 28.8%. In addition, despite adjustments for a set of socio-demographic and access to-care variables, researchers found a gap of 8 to 10 percentage points between levels among non-Hispanic whites compared to levels among Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 37, Issue 2 (August 2009) http://www.ajpm-online.net/
OBESITY DOES NOT WORSEN ASTHMA BUT MAY REDUCE RESPONSE TO MEDICATIONS: Being overweight or obese does not make asthma worse in patients with mild and moderate forms of the disease, according to a study by National Jewish Health researchers, although it may reduce the response to medications. "By studying a well characterized group of patients with asthma, [1,256 patients ] we were able to determine that increased weight is not associated with more severe asthma. Although benefits can be obtained with weight loss in other diseases, these findings suggest that an improvement in asthma may not necessarily result from weight loss. "The findings also suggest that patients and physicians should be aware that obese asthma patients may not respond well to corticosteroids, the most successful controller medication for asthma, which can affect dosing decisions and choices of possible alternatives to steroids." Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 6/09 www.jacionline.org/
WAYS TO PREDICT EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA AND ITS SEVERITY WITHOUT AN EXERCISE CHALLENGE: Two Indiana University studies have explored the potential use of two simple tests for not only predicting whether someone has exercise-induced asthma (EIA) but also its severity, without subjecting the patient to an exercise challenge. One test involves measuring exhaled breath levels of nitric oxide. The other involved measuring the pH level of exhaled breath. Researchers found that both tests could be effective at predicting EIA and its severity. Both tests can be performed in a doctor's office while the patient is at rest.. American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting http://www.sciencedaily.com_ /releases/2009/05/090530172218.htm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
June Calendar and Updates
CALENDAR AND UPDATES JUNE 2009
1. Calendar
2. International Conference of the American Thoracic Society
3. Asthma Updates
1. CALENDAR
If you have an asthma related event coming up, and you would like it posted on this calendar, please send the date, place, time and contact information to margoc@tds.net
June 4-5 EPA National Asthma Forum, Washington DC. www.epaasthmaforum.com.
June 10 NH Asthma Steering Committee Spring/Summer Meeting, 9-11:30 am, Society for the Protection of NH Forests. FMI: ldearborn@dhhs.state.nh.us or 603-271-0855
June 17 Healthy Homes Specialist Refresher Course, 8-4:30, NH Housing (32 Constitution Drive, Bedford NH). Fee is $30. To register, go to www.snhahec.org. Option to take the Healthy Homes Specialist Credentialing Exam. Contact Tracie Holmes (603-895-1514 ext.4, for information on registration and scholarships for credentialing.
June 25-26 Asthma Educator Institute. Sponsored by the American Lung Association, Southern NH Area Health Education Center and the NH Asthma Control Program. For individuals interested in developing skills as an asthma educator and/or to prepare for the national asthma educator certification exam. Holiday Inn, Nashua, 8-4:30 each day. Cost: $250 with a limited number of scholarships available for individuals from NH. Register at www.snhahec.org. Contact Tracie Holmes (603-895-1514 ext.4 for more information.
August 3-5 26th Annual School Nurse Institute, St. Anselm College. This year’s institute features a hald day program on asthma: Aug 3, 1-4:30 om, Asthma for School Nurses. FMI: go to St. Anselm’s website for program and registration information:
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise.
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
2. INTERNATION CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN THORAIC SOCIETY
Abstracts for the Conference are available at http://www.thoracic.org/sections/publications/abstracts-
online.html
DEVICE EASES SEVERE ASTHMA WITHOUT DRUGS: The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System
device, made by privately held Asthmatx Inc., cut the rates of extreme asthma
attacks by 32 percent and reduced trips to the emergency room by 84 percent in 297 patients with
severe asthma in six countries. Patients missed fewer days of work or school because of asthma
symptoms and had more symptom-free days compared with people who received a placebo, according
to results of the late-stage clinical trial. The Alair device uses a thin tube to gently heat the walls of the
lung's air passages, killing off some of the muscle tissue to reduce narrowing of the airways.
FLU VACCINE DOES NOT PREVENT FLU RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS IN CHILDREN
WITH ASTHMA: The inactivated influenza vaccine does not appear to be effective in preventing
influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially those with asthma. In fact, children who get the
influenza vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than their peers who do not get the vaccine. To
determine whether the vaccine was effective in reducing the number of hospitalizations that all children, and
especially those with asthma faced over 8 consecutive influenza seasons, the researchers conducted a
cohort study of 263 children, aged 6 months to 18 years, who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in
Minnesota between 1996 to 2006. Thos children who had received the vaccine had 3 times the risk of hospitalization, as compared to children who had not received the vaccine. No other measured factors, such as insurance plans or severity of asthma, appeared to affect risk of hospitalization.
VITAMIN D MAY HALT LUNG FUNCTION DECLINE IN ASTHMA: Vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in the ability to breathe that can occur in people with asthma as a result of human airway smooth muscle (HASM). Researchers found that calcitriol, a form of vitamin D synthesized within the body, reduced growth-factor-induced HASM proliferation in cells isolated from both persons with asthma and from persons without the disease. The proliferation is a part of process called airway remodeling, which occurs in many people with asthma, and leads to reduced lung function over time. The experiments were conducted with cells from 12 subjects, and the researchers compared calcitriol with dexmethasone, a corticosteroid prescribed widely for the treatment of asthma. Although, dexmethasone is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, the researchers found that it had little effect on HASM growth.
OVERWEIGHT MOMS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE KIDS WITH ASTHMA: A mother's weight may have lasting effects not just on her own health but on the respiratory health of her children. The risk of asthma is 65 percent higher among the offspring of overweight mothers if one or both of the child's parents have a history of the disease. The study included nearly 4,000 children, who were followed from birth to 8 years of age.
3. ASTHMA UPDATES
ASTHMA SELF MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IMPROVE ADHERENCE: A s t h m a p a t i e n t s w h o s p e n d a s l i t t l e a s 3 0 m i n u t e s w i t h a h e a l t h c a r e p r o f e s s i o n a l, t o d e v e l o p a p e r s o n a l i z e d s e l f - m a n a g e m e n t p l a n, s h o w i m p r o v e d a d h e r e n c e t o m e d i c a t i o n s a n d b e t t e r d i s e a s e c o n t r o l , a c c o r d i n g t o a n e w s t u d y of 8 4 a d u l t s w i t h a s t h m a. Subjects s e l f - m o n i t o r e d t h e i r s y m p t o m s a n d k e p t a d a i l y l o g o f t h e i r p e a k e x p i r a t o r y a i r f l o w . O f t h a t g r o u p , 4 5 p a t i e n t s w e r e r a n d o m l y s e l e c t e d t o a l s o r e c e i v e a p e r s o n a l 3 0 - m i n u t e s e s s i o n t h a t i n c l u d e d a s t h m a i n f o r m a t i o n , p e r s o n a l l y r e l e v a n t a l l e r g e n e x p o s u r e r e d u c t i o n , a p e r s o n a l a c t i o n p l a n , a n d i n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e c o r r e c t u s e o f t h e i r i n h a l e r s . P a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h e i n t e r v e n t i o n g r o u p e x p e r i e n c e d f e w e r n i g h t t i m e a w a k e n i n g s , a m a r k e r o f a s t h m a c o n t r o l . I n t e r v e n t i o n p a r t i c i p a n t s a l s o u s e d r e s c u e i n h a l e r s l e s s f r e q u e n t l y , e x p e r i e n c e d a n i n c r e a s e d s e n s e o f c o n t r o l o v e r t h e i r a s t h m a , a n d h a d a s i g n i f i c a n t d e c r e a s e i n t h e i r l e v e l s o f t r y p t a s e , w h i c h i s r e l e a s e d f r o m c e l l s i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f a l l e r g e n s . T h e J o u r n a l o f A l l e r g y a n d C l i n i c a l I m m u n o l o g y 5/09
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT REDUCES COACKROACHES AND ALLERGENS IN SCHOOLS: F o r y e a r s , s c i e n t i s t s h a v e a s s o c i a t e d g r o w i n g a s t h m a r a t e s a m o n g c h i l d r e n w i t h e x p o s u r e t o c o c k r o a c h a l l e r g e n s , e s p e c i a l l y a m o n g i n n e r - c i t y c h i l d r e n . A n e w s t u d y s h o w s t h a t u s i n g i n t e g r a t e d p e s t m a n a g e m e n t ( I P M ) t o c o n t r o l c o c k r o a c h e s i s m o r e e f f e c t i v e a t r e d u c i n g c o c k r o a c h e s a n d t h e i r a l l e r g e n s t h a n c o n v e n t i o n a l m e t h o d s w h i c h d o n o t u s e I P M . U n l i k e c o n v e n t i o n a l p e s t - c o n t r o l m e t h o d s , w h i c h o f t e n i n v o l v e p e r i o d i c s p r a y i n g o f i n s e c t i c i d e s o n a p r e d e t e r m i n e d s c h e d u l e , I P M i n v o l v e s c l o s e m o n i t o r i n g f o r s i g n s o f s p e c i f i c p e s t s , c o m b i n e d w i t h b a i t s a n d t r a p s t o c o n t r o l t h e m . T h e a u t h o r s o f t h i s s t u d y c o m p a r e d t w o s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s u s i n g t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l m e t h o d w i t h o n e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t u s i n g I P M , a n d f o u n d t h a t t h e o n e u s i n g I P M h a d m u c h l o w e r c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f c o c k r o a c h a l l e r g e n s a n d z e r o c o c k r o a c h e s c a u g h t i n p r e - s e t t r a p s . J o u r n a l o f M e d i c a l E n t o m o l o g y , 2 0 0 9 ; 4 6 ( 3 ) : 4 2 0
1. Calendar
2. International Conference of the American Thoracic Society
3. Asthma Updates
1. CALENDAR
If you have an asthma related event coming up, and you would like it posted on this calendar, please send the date, place, time and contact information to margoc@tds.net
June 4-5 EPA National Asthma Forum, Washington DC. www.epaasthmaforum.com.
June 10 NH Asthma Steering Committee Spring/Summer Meeting, 9-11:30 am, Society for the Protection of NH Forests. FMI: ldearborn@dhhs.state.nh.us or 603-271-0855
June 17 Healthy Homes Specialist Refresher Course, 8-4:30, NH Housing (32 Constitution Drive, Bedford NH). Fee is $30. To register, go to www.snhahec.org. Option to take the Healthy Homes Specialist Credentialing Exam. Contact Tracie Holmes (603-895-1514 ext.4, for information on registration and scholarships for credentialing.
June 25-26 Asthma Educator Institute. Sponsored by the American Lung Association, Southern NH Area Health Education Center and the NH Asthma Control Program. For individuals interested in developing skills as an asthma educator and/or to prepare for the national asthma educator certification exam. Holiday Inn, Nashua, 8-4:30 each day. Cost: $250 with a limited number of scholarships available for individuals from NH. Register at www.snhahec.org. Contact Tracie Holmes (603-895-1514 ext.4 for more information.
August 3-5 26th Annual School Nurse Institute, St. Anselm College. This year’s institute features a hald day program on asthma: Aug 3, 1-4:30 om, Asthma for School Nurses. FMI: go to St. Anselm’s website for program and registration information:
September 10 Eager Breather’s Fresh Air Day Cruise.
September 28 Fairways for Airways Golf Classic™ to be held at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Participation in this event directly supports Breathe New Hampshire's lung health programs & initiatives in the state. FMI: 1-800-835-8647 x 120 or http://www.breathenh.org/Page.aspx?pid=554
2. INTERNATION CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN THORAIC SOCIETY
Abstracts for the Conference are available at http://www.thoracic.org/sections/publications/abstracts-
online.html
DEVICE EASES SEVERE ASTHMA WITHOUT DRUGS: The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System
device, made by privately held Asthmatx Inc., cut the rates of extreme asthma
attacks by 32 percent and reduced trips to the emergency room by 84 percent in 297 patients with
severe asthma in six countries. Patients missed fewer days of work or school because of asthma
symptoms and had more symptom-free days compared with people who received a placebo, according
to results of the late-stage clinical trial. The Alair device uses a thin tube to gently heat the walls of the
lung's air passages, killing off some of the muscle tissue to reduce narrowing of the airways.
FLU VACCINE DOES NOT PREVENT FLU RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS IN CHILDREN
WITH ASTHMA: The inactivated influenza vaccine does not appear to be effective in preventing
influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially those with asthma. In fact, children who get the
influenza vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than their peers who do not get the vaccine. To
determine whether the vaccine was effective in reducing the number of hospitalizations that all children, and
especially those with asthma faced over 8 consecutive influenza seasons, the researchers conducted a
cohort study of 263 children, aged 6 months to 18 years, who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in
Minnesota between 1996 to 2006. Thos children who had received the vaccine had 3 times the risk of hospitalization, as compared to children who had not received the vaccine. No other measured factors, such as insurance plans or severity of asthma, appeared to affect risk of hospitalization.
VITAMIN D MAY HALT LUNG FUNCTION DECLINE IN ASTHMA: Vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in the ability to breathe that can occur in people with asthma as a result of human airway smooth muscle (HASM). Researchers found that calcitriol, a form of vitamin D synthesized within the body, reduced growth-factor-induced HASM proliferation in cells isolated from both persons with asthma and from persons without the disease. The proliferation is a part of process called airway remodeling, which occurs in many people with asthma, and leads to reduced lung function over time. The experiments were conducted with cells from 12 subjects, and the researchers compared calcitriol with dexmethasone, a corticosteroid prescribed widely for the treatment of asthma. Although, dexmethasone is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, the researchers found that it had little effect on HASM growth.
OVERWEIGHT MOMS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE KIDS WITH ASTHMA: A mother's weight may have lasting effects not just on her own health but on the respiratory health of her children. The risk of asthma is 65 percent higher among the offspring of overweight mothers if one or both of the child's parents have a history of the disease. The study included nearly 4,000 children, who were followed from birth to 8 years of age.
3. ASTHMA UPDATES
ASTHMA SELF MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IMPROVE ADHERENCE: A s t h m a p a t i e n t s w h o s p e n d a s l i t t l e a s 3 0 m i n u t e s w i t h a h e a l t h c a r e p r o f e s s i o n a l, t o d e v e l o p a p e r s o n a l i z e d s e l f - m a n a g e m e n t p l a n, s h o w i m p r o v e d a d h e r e n c e t o m e d i c a t i o n s a n d b e t t e r d i s e a s e c o n t r o l , a c c o r d i n g t o a n e w s t u d y of 8 4 a d u l t s w i t h a s t h m a. Subjects s e l f - m o n i t o r e d t h e i r s y m p t o m s a n d k e p t a d a i l y l o g o f t h e i r p e a k e x p i r a t o r y a i r f l o w . O f t h a t g r o u p , 4 5 p a t i e n t s w e r e r a n d o m l y s e l e c t e d t o a l s o r e c e i v e a p e r s o n a l 3 0 - m i n u t e s e s s i o n t h a t i n c l u d e d a s t h m a i n f o r m a t i o n , p e r s o n a l l y r e l e v a n t a l l e r g e n e x p o s u r e r e d u c t i o n , a p e r s o n a l a c t i o n p l a n , a n d i n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e c o r r e c t u s e o f t h e i r i n h a l e r s . P a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h e i n t e r v e n t i o n g r o u p e x p e r i e n c e d f e w e r n i g h t t i m e a w a k e n i n g s , a m a r k e r o f a s t h m a c o n t r o l . I n t e r v e n t i o n p a r t i c i p a n t s a l s o u s e d r e s c u e i n h a l e r s l e s s f r e q u e n t l y , e x p e r i e n c e d a n i n c r e a s e d s e n s e o f c o n t r o l o v e r t h e i r a s t h m a , a n d h a d a s i g n i f i c a n t d e c r e a s e i n t h e i r l e v e l s o f t r y p t a s e , w h i c h i s r e l e a s e d f r o m c e l l s i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f a l l e r g e n s . T h e J o u r n a l o f A l l e r g y a n d C l i n i c a l I m m u n o l o g y 5/09
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT REDUCES COACKROACHES AND ALLERGENS IN SCHOOLS: F o r y e a r s , s c i e n t i s t s h a v e a s s o c i a t e d g r o w i n g a s t h m a r a t e s a m o n g c h i l d r e n w i t h e x p o s u r e t o c o c k r o a c h a l l e r g e n s , e s p e c i a l l y a m o n g i n n e r - c i t y c h i l d r e n . A n e w s t u d y s h o w s t h a t u s i n g i n t e g r a t e d p e s t m a n a g e m e n t ( I P M ) t o c o n t r o l c o c k r o a c h e s i s m o r e e f f e c t i v e a t r e d u c i n g c o c k r o a c h e s a n d t h e i r a l l e r g e n s t h a n c o n v e n t i o n a l m e t h o d s w h i c h d o n o t u s e I P M . U n l i k e c o n v e n t i o n a l p e s t - c o n t r o l m e t h o d s , w h i c h o f t e n i n v o l v e p e r i o d i c s p r a y i n g o f i n s e c t i c i d e s o n a p r e d e t e r m i n e d s c h e d u l e , I P M i n v o l v e s c l o s e m o n i t o r i n g f o r s i g n s o f s p e c i f i c p e s t s , c o m b i n e d w i t h b a i t s a n d t r a p s t o c o n t r o l t h e m . T h e a u t h o r s o f t h i s s t u d y c o m p a r e d t w o s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s u s i n g t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l m e t h o d w i t h o n e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t u s i n g I P M , a n d f o u n d t h a t t h e o n e u s i n g I P M h a d m u c h l o w e r c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f c o c k r o a c h a l l e r g e n s a n d z e r o c o c k r o a c h e s c a u g h t i n p r e - s e t t r a p s . J o u r n a l o f M e d i c a l E n t o m o l o g y , 2 0 0 9 ; 4 6 ( 3 ) : 4 2 0
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