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Craig S, Collings M, Gray C, Benito J, Velasco R, Lyttle MD, Roland D, Schuh S, Shihabuddin B, Kwok M, Mahajan P, Johnson M, Zorc J, Khanna K, Fernandes R, Yock-Corrales A, Santhanam I, Cheema B, Ong GYK, Jaiganesh T, Powell C, Nixon G, Dalziel S, Babl FE, Graudins A. Analysis of guideline recommendations for treatment of asthma exacerbations in children: a Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN) study. Arch Dis Child 2024; 109:468-475. [PMID: 38325912 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE There is significant practice variation in acute paediatric asthma, particularly severe exacerbations. It is unknown whether this is due to differences in clinical guidelines. OBJECTIVES To describe and compare the content and quality of clinical guidelines for the management of acute exacerbations of asthma in children between geographic regions. METHODS Observational study of guidelines for the management of acute paediatric asthma from institutions across a global collaboration of six regional paediatric emergency research networks. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS 158 guidelines were identified. Half provided recommendations for at least two age groups, and most guidelines provided treatment recommendations according to asthma severity.There were consistent recommendations for the use of inhaled short-acting beta-agonists and systemic corticosteroids. Inhaled anticholinergic therapy was recommended in most guidelines for severe and critical asthma, but there were inconsistent recommendations for its use in mild and moderate exacerbations. Other inhaled therapies such as helium-oxygen mixture (Heliox) and nebulised magnesium were inconsistently recommended for severe and critical illness.Parenteral bronchodilator therapy and epinephrine were mostly reserved for severe and critical asthma, with intravenous magnesium most recommended. There were regional differences in the use of other parenteral bronchodilators, particularly aminophylline.Guideline quality assessment identified high ratings for clarity of presentation, scope and purpose, but low ratings for stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, applicability and editorial independence. CONCLUSIONS Current guidelines for the management of acute paediatric asthma exacerbations have substantial deficits in important quality domains and provide limited and inconsistent guidance for severe exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Craig
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatric Emergency, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madeline Collings
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charmaine Gray
- Adelaide Medical School, Discipline of Paediatrics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Paediatric Emergency, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Javier Benito
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
- University of the Basque Country, Bilabo, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Roberto Velasco
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Hospital Universitari Parc Taul, Sabadell, Spain
- Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mark D Lyttle
- Emergency Department, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK
- Research in Emergency Care Avon Collaborative Hub (REACH), University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Damian Roland
- SAPPHIRE Group, Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine Leicester Academic (PEMLA) Group, Department of Children's Emergency, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
| | - Suzanne Schuh
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bashar Shihabuddin
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Colombus, Ohio, USA
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Maria Kwok
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Prashant Mahajan
- Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mike Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Joseph Zorc
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kajal Khanna
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ricardo Fernandes
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Adriana Yock-Corrales
- Department of Emergency, Hospital Nacional de Ninos Dr Carlos Saenz Herrera, C.C.S.S, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Indumathy Santhanam
- National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, India
- PREM Simulation Laboratory, Institute of Child Health, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India
| | - Baljit Cheema
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Gene Yong-Kwang Ong
- Children's Emergency Department, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
- Medical School, Duke University and the National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Colin Powell
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Gillian Nixon
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart Dalziel
- Departments of Surgery and Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Children's Emergency, Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Franz E Babl
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Emergency, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Paediatrics and Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andis Graudins
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Emergency Service, Emergency Department, Dandenong Hospital, Monash Health, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia
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Lommatzsch M, Criée CP, de Jong CCM, Gappa M, Geßner C, Gerstlauer M, Hämäläinen N, Haidl P, Hamelmann E, Horak F, Idzko M, Ignatov A, Koczulla AR, Korn S, Köhler M, Lex C, Meister J, Milger-Kneidinger K, Nowak D, Nothacker M, Pfaar O, Pohl W, Preisser AM, Rabe KF, Riedler J, Schmidt O, Schreiber J, Schuster A, Schuhmann M, Spindler T, Taube C, Christian Virchow J, Vogelberg C, Vogelmeier CF, Wantke F, Windisch W, Worth H, Zacharasiewicz A, Buhl R. [Diagnosis and treatment of asthma: a guideline for respiratory specialists 2023 - published by the German Respiratory Society (DGP) e. V.]. Pneumologie 2023; 77:461-543. [PMID: 37406667 DOI: 10.1055/a-2070-2135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The management of asthma has fundamentally changed during the past decades. The present guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma was developed for respiratory specialists who need detailed and evidence-based information on the new diagnostic and therapeutic options in asthma. The guideline shows the new role of biomarkers, especially blood eosinophils and fractional exhaled NO (FeNO), in diagnostic algorithms of asthma. Of note, this guideline is the first worldwide to announce symptom prevention and asthma remission as the ultimate goals of asthma treatment, which can be achieved by using individually tailored, disease-modifying anti-asthmatic drugs such as inhaled steroids, allergen immunotherapy or biologics. In addition, the central role of the treatment of comorbidities is emphasized. Finally, the document addresses several challenges in asthma management, including asthma treatment during pregnancy, treatment of severe asthma or the diagnosis and treatment of work-related asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Lommatzsch
- Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Abt. für Pneumologie, Universitätsmedizin Rostock
| | | | - Carmen C M de Jong
- Abteilung für pädiatrische Pneumologie, Abteilung für Pädiatrie, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
| | - Monika Gappa
- Klinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf
| | | | | | | | - Peter Haidl
- Abteilung für Pneumologie II, Fachkrankenhaus Kloster Grafschaft GmbH, Schmallenberg
| | - Eckard Hamelmann
- Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Bielefeld
| | | | - Marco Idzko
- Abteilung für Pulmologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin II, Medizinische Universität Wien
| | - Atanas Ignatov
- Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Geburtshilfe und Reproduktionsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg
| | - Andreas Rembert Koczulla
- Schön-Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, Berchtesgaden
- Klinik für Innere Medizin Schwerpunkt Pneumologie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg
| | - Stephanie Korn
- Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin, Thoraxklinik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
| | - Michael Köhler
- Deutsche Patientenliga Atemwegserkrankungen, Gau-Bickelheim
| | - Christiane Lex
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
| | - Jochen Meister
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Helios Klinikum Aue
| | | | - Dennis Nowak
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, LMU München
| | - Monika Nothacker
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e. V
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie, Sektion für Rhinologie und Allergie, Universitätsklinikum Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg
| | - Wolfgang Pohl
- Gesundheitszentrum Althietzing, Karl Landsteiner Institut für klinische und experimentelle Pneumologie, Wien
| | - Alexandra M Preisser
- Zentralinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin und Maritime Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
| | - Klaus F Rabe
- Pneumologie, LungenClinic Großhansdorf, UKSH Kiel
| | - Josef Riedler
- Abteilung für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Kardinal Schwarzenberg Klinikum Schwarzach
| | | | - Jens Schreiber
- Universitätsklinik für Pneumologie, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg
| | - Antje Schuster
- Klinik für Allgemeine Pädiatrie, Neonatologie und Kinderkardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf
| | | | | | - Christian Taube
- Klinik für Pneumologie, Universitätsmedizin Essen-Ruhrlandklinik
| | | | - Christian Vogelberg
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden
| | | | | | - Wolfram Windisch
- Lungenklinik Köln-Merheim, Lehrstuhl für Pneumologie, Universität Witten/Herdecke
| | - Heinrich Worth
- Pneumologische & Kardiologische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Fürth
| | | | - Roland Buhl
- Klinik für Pneumologie, Zentrum für Thoraxerkrankungen, Universitätsmedizin Mainz
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Salbutamol Transport and Deposition in the Upper and Lower Airway with Different Devices in Cats: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082431. [PMID: 34438888 PMCID: PMC8388725 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Administration of inhaled salbutamol via metered-dose inhalers can effectively treat bronchoconstriction. Different devices are used for the delivery of this drug in cats, either in the hospital or at home, for long-term treatment. Effective drug administration may depend on the drug delivery device as well as patient cooperation. By using non-invasive computational fluid dynamics techniques, the impact of these devices on the deposition and transport of salbutamol particles in the cat airways was simulated and assessed. The results confirm a variable drug distribution depending on the device used. The percentage of particles reaching the lung was reduced when using spacers and increased when applied directly into an endotracheal tube. Abstract Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI) with or without spacers are commonly used for the treatment of feline inflammatory airway disease. During traditional airways treatments, a substantial amount of drugs are wasted upstream of their target. To study the efficiency of commonly used devices in the transport of inhaled salbutamol, different computational models based on two healthy adult client-owned cats were developed. Computed tomographic images from one cat were used to generate a three-dimensional geometry, and two masks (spherical and conical shapes) and two spacers (10 and 20 cm) completed the models. A second cat was used to generate a second model having an endotracheal tube (ETT) with and without the same spacers. Airflow, droplet spray transport, and deposition were simulated and studied using computational fluid dynamics techniques. Four regions were evaluated: device, upper airways, primary bronchi, and downstream lower airways/parenchyma (“lung”). Regardless of the model, most salbutamol is deposited in devices and/or upper airways. In general, particles reaching the lung varied between 5.8 and 25.8%. Compared with the first model, pMDI application through the ETT with or without a spacer had significantly higher percentages of particles reaching the lung (p = 0.006).
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Leung JS. Paediatrics: how to manage acute asthma exacerbations. Drugs Context 2021; 10:dic-2020-12-7. [PMID: 34113386 PMCID: PMC8166724 DOI: 10.7573/dic.2020-12-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and a major source of childhood health burden worldwide. These burdens are particularly marked when children experience characteristic ‘symptom flare-ups’ or acute asthma exacerbations (AAEs). AAE are associated with significant health and economic impacts, including acute Emergency Department visits, occasional hospitalizations, and rarely, death. To treat children with AAE, several medications have been studied and used. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the literature with the primary objective of understanding the evidence of their efficacy. We present this efficacy evidence in the context of a general stepwise management pathway for paediatric AAEs. This framework is developed from the combined recommendations of eight established (inter)national paediatric guidelines. Discussion Management of paediatric AAE centres around four major care goals: (1) immediate and objective assessment of AAE severity; (2) prompt and effective medical interventions to decrease respiratory distress and improve oxygenation; (3) appropriate disposition of patient; and (4) safe discharge plans. Several medications are currently recommended with varying efficacies, including heliox, systemic corticosteroids, first-line bronchodilators (salbutamol/albuterol), adjunctive bronchodilators (ipratropium bromide, magnesium sulfate) and second-line bronchodilators (aminophylline, i.v. salbutamol, i.v. terbutaline, epinephrine, ketamine). Care of children with AAE is further enhanced using clinical severity scoring, pathway-driven care and after-event discharge planning. Conclusions AAEs in children are primarily managed by medications supported by a growing body of literature. Continued efforts to study the efficacy of second-line bronchodilators, integrate AAE management with long-term asthma control and provide fair/equitable care are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Leung
- McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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5
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Vet NJ, de Winter BCM, Koninckx M, Boeschoten SA, Boehmer ALM, Verhallen JT, Plötz FB, Vaessen-Verberne AA, van der Nagel BCH, Knibbe CAJ, Buysse CMP, de Wildt SN, Koch BCP, de Hoog M. Population Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Salbutamol in Children with Refractory Status Asthmaticus. Clin Pharmacokinet 2021; 59:257-264. [PMID: 31432470 PMCID: PMC7007440 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-019-00811-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravenous salbutamol is used to treat children with refractory status asthmaticus, however insufficient pharmacokinetic data are available to guide initial and subsequent dosing recommendations for its intravenous use. The pharmacologic activity of salbutamol resides predominantly in the (R)-enantiomer, with little or no activity and even concerns of adverse reactions attributed to the (S)-enantiomer. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model to characterize the pharmacokinetic profile for intravenous salbutamol in children with status asthmaticus admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to use this model to study the effect of different dosing schemes with and without a loading dose. METHODS From 19 children (median age 4.9 years [range 9 months-15.3 years], median weight 18 kg [range 7.8-70 kg]) treated with continuous intravenous salbutamol at the PICU, plasma samples for R- and S-salbutamol concentrations (111 samples), as well as asthma scores, were collected prospectively at the same time points. Possible adverse reactions and patients' clinical data (age, sex, weight, drug doses, liver and kidney function) were recorded. With these data, a population pharmacokinetic model was developed using NONMEM 7.2. After validation, the model was used for simulations to evaluate the effect of different dosing regimens with or without a loading dose. RESULTS A two-compartment model with separate clearance for R- and S-salbutamol (16.3 L/h and 8.8 L/h, respectively) best described the data. Weight was found to be a significant covariate for clearance and volume of distribution. No other covariates were identified. Simulations showed that a loading dose can result in higher R-salbutamol concentrations in the early phase after the start of infusion therapy, preventing accumulation of S-salbutamol. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacokinetic model of intravenous R- and S-salbutamol described the data well and showed that a loading dose should be considered in children. This model can be used to evaluate the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship of intravenous salbutamol in children, and, as a next step, the effectiveness and tolerability of intravenous salbutamol in children with severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke J Vet
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Muriel Koninckx
- Pediatric Intensive Care, Middelheim Ziekenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Shelley A Boeschoten
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jacintha T Verhallen
- Department of Pediatrics, Franciscus Gasthuis and Vlietland, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frans B Plötz
- Department of Pediatrics, Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Catherijne A J Knibbe
- Division of Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Corinne M P Buysse
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia N de Wildt
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Birgit C P Koch
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs de Hoog
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lee MO, Sivasankar S, Pokrajac N, Smith C, Lumba‐Brown A. Emergency department treatment of asthma in children: A review. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2020; 1:1552-1561. [PMID: 33392563 PMCID: PMC7771822 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children, with >700,000 emergency department (ED) visits each year. Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by a combination of airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and variable outflow obstruction, with clinical presentations ranging from mild to life-threatening. Standardized ED treatment can improve patient outcomes, including fewer hospital admissions. Informed by the most recent guidelines, this review focuses on the optimal approach to diagnosis and treatment of children with acute asthma exacerbations who present to the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon O. Lee
- Department of Emergency MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Shyam Sivasankar
- Department of Emergency MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Nicholas Pokrajac
- Department of Emergency MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cherrelle Smith
- Department of Emergency MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Angela Lumba‐Brown
- Department of Emergency MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
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Craig SS, Dalziel SR, Powell CV, Graudins A, Babl FE, Lunny C. Interventions for escalation of therapy for acute exacerbations of asthma in children: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 8:CD012977. [PMID: 32767571 PMCID: PMC8078579 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012977.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is an illness that commonly affects adults and children, and it serves as a common reason for children to attend emergency departments. An asthma exacerbation is characterised by acute or subacute worsening of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness and may be triggered by viral respiratory infection, poor compliance with usual medication, a change in the weather, or exposure to allergens or irritants. Most children with asthma have mild or moderate exacerbations and respond well to first-line therapy (inhaled short-acting beta-agonists and systemic corticosteroids). However, the best treatment for the small proportion of seriously ill children who do not respond to first-line therapy is not well understood. Currently, a large number of treatment options are available and there is wide variation in management. OBJECTIVES Main objective - To summarise Cochrane Reviews with or without meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of second-line treatment for children with acute exacerbations of asthma (i.e. after first-line treatments, titrated oxygen delivery, and administration of intermittent inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists and oral corticosteroids have been tried and have failed) Secondary objectives - To identify gaps in the current evidence base that will inform recommendations for future research and subsequent Cochrane Reviews - To categorise information on reported outcome measures used in trials of escalation of treatment for acute exacerbations of asthma in children, and to make recommendations for development and reporting of standard outcomes in future trials and reviews - To identify relevant randomised controlled trials that have been published since the date of publication of each included review METHODS: We included Cochrane Reviews assessing interventions for children with acute exacerbations of asthma. We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search is current to 28 December 2019. We also identified trials that were potentially eligible for, but were not currently included in, published reviews. We assessed the quality of included reviews using the ROBIS criteria (tool used to assess risk of bias in systematic reviews). We presented an evidence synthesis of data from reviews alongside an evidence map of clinical trials. Primary outcomes were length of stay, hospital admission, intensive care unit admission, and adverse effects. We summarised all findings in the text and reported data for each outcome in 'Additional tables'. MAIN RESULTS We identified 17 potentially eligible Cochrane Reviews but extracted data from, and rated the quality of, 13 reviews that reported results for children alone. We excluded four reviews as one did not include any randomised controlled trials (RCTs), one did not provide subgroup data for children, and the last two had been updated and replaced by subsequent reviews. The 13 reviews included 67 trials; the number of trials in each review ranged from a single trial up to 27 trials. The vast majority of comparisons included between one and three trials, involving fewer than 100 participants. The total number of participants included in reviews ranged from 40 to 2630. All studies included children; 16 (24%) included children younger than two years of age. Most of the reviews reported search dates older than four years. We have summarised the published evidence as outlined in Cochrane Reviews. Key findings, in terms of our primary outcomes, are that (1) intravenous magnesium sulfate was the only intervention shown to reduce hospital length of stay (high-certainty evidence); (2) no evidence suggested that any intervention reduced the risk of intensive care admission (low- to very low-certainty evidence); (3) the risk of hospital admission was reduced by the addition of inhaled anticholinergic agents to inhaled beta2-agonists (moderate-certainty evidence), the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate (high-certainty evidence), and the use of inhaled heliox (low-certainty evidence); (4) the addition of inhaled magnesium sulfate to usual bronchodilator therapy appears to reduce serious adverse events during hospital admission (moderate-certainty evidence); (5) aminophylline increased vomiting compared to placebo (moderate-certainty evidence) and increased nausea and nausea/vomiting compared to intravenous beta2-agonists (low-certainty evidence); and (6) the addition of anticholinergic therapy to short-acting beta2-agonists appeared to reduce the risk of nausea (high-certainty evidence) and tremor (moderate-certainty evidence) but not vomiting (low-certainty evidence). We considered 4 of the 13 reviews to be at high risk of bias based on the ROBIS framework. In all cases, this was due to concerns regarding identification and selection of studies. The certainty of evidence varied widely (by review and also by outcome) and ranged from very low to high. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This overview provides the most up-to-date evidence on interventions for escalation of therapy for acute exacerbations of asthma in children from Cochrane Reviews of randomised controlled trials. A vast majority of comparisons involved between one and three trials and fewer than 100 participants, making it difficult to assess the balance between benefits and potential harms. Due to the lack of comparative studies between various treatment options, we are unable to make firm practice recommendations. Intravenous magnesium sulfate appears to reduce both hospital length of stay and the risk of hospital admission. Hospital admission is also reduced with the addition of inhaled anticholinergic agents to inhaled beta2-agonists. However, further research is required to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from these therapies. Due to the relatively rare incidence of acute severe paediatric asthma, multi-centre research will be required to generate high-quality evidence. A number of existing Cochrane Reviews should be updated, and we recommend that a new review be conducted on the use of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. Important priorities include development of an internationally agreed core outcome set for future trials in acute severe asthma exacerbations and determination of clinically important differences in these outcomes, which can then inform adequately powered future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon S Craig
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Paediatric Emergency Department, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Emergency Service, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stuart R Dalziel
- Departments of Surgery and Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT), Melbourne, Australia
- Children's Emergency Department, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Colin Ve Powell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidra Medciine, Doha, Qatar
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andis Graudins
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT), Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Emergency Service, Monash Health, Dandenong Hospital, Dandenong, Australia
| | - Franz E Babl
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT), Melbourne, Australia
- Emergency Department, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics and Centre for Integrated Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carole Lunny
- Cochrane Hypertension Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Scichilone N, Barnes PJ, Battaglia S, Benfante A, Brown R, Canonica GW, Caramori G, Cazzola M, Centanni S, Cianferoni A, Corsico A, De Carlo G, Di Marco F, Gaga M, Hawrylowicz C, Heffler E, Matera MG, Matucci A, Paggiaro P, Papi A, Popov T, Rogliani P, Santus P, Solidoro P, Togias A, Boulet LP. The Hidden Burden of Severe Asthma: From Patient Perspective to New Opportunities for Clinicians. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9082397. [PMID: 32727032 PMCID: PMC7463666 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma is an important topic in respiratory diseases, due to its high impact on morbidity and mortality as well as on health-care resources. The many challenges that still exist in the management of the most difficult-to-treat forms of the disease, and the acknowledgement of the existence of unexplored areas in the pathophysiological mechanisms and the therapeutic targets represent an opportunity to gather experts in the field with the immediate goals to summarize current understanding about the natural history of severe asthma and to identify gaps in knowledge and research opportunities, with the aim to contribute to improved medical care and health outcomes. This article is a consensus document from the “International Course on Severe Asthma” that took place in Palermo, Italy, on May 10–11, 2019. Emerging topics in severe asthma were addressed and discussed among experts, with special focus on patient’s needs and research opportunities, with the aim to highlight the unanswered questions in the diagnostic process and therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Scichilone
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90143 Palermo, Italy; (S.B.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-091-655-2146
| | - Peter John Barnes
- Airway Disease Section, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK;
| | - Salvatore Battaglia
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90143 Palermo, Italy; (S.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Alida Benfante
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90143 Palermo, Italy; (S.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Robert Brown
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
| | - Giorgio Walter Canonica
- Personalised Medicine Clinic Asthma & Allergy, Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (G.W.C.); (E.H.)
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry and Morphological and Functional Imaging (BIOMORF), University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Dept. Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Stefano Centanni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo Hospital, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Antonella Cianferoni
- Pediatrics Department, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Angelo Corsico
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation and Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics – University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe De Carlo
- The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA), 1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Fabiano Di Marco
- Respiratory Unit, ASST - Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, University of Milan, 24127 Milan, Italy;
| | - Mina Gaga
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Dept, Asthma Cen, Athens Chest Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Catherine Hawrylowicz
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Enrico Heffler
- Personalised Medicine Clinic Asthma & Allergy, Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (G.W.C.); (E.H.)
| | - Maria Gabriella Matera
- Unit of Pharmacology, Dept. Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Andrea Matucci
- Immunoallergology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Pierluigi Paggiaro
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Molecular Biology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Alberto Papi
- Research Center on Asthma and COPD, Dept of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Todor Popov
- Clinic of Occupational Diseases, University Hospital Sv. Ivan Rilski, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Dept. Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (P.R.)
| | - Pierachille Santus
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale L. Sacco, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paolo Solidoro
- Pneumology Unit U, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Alkis Togias
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
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Vatrella A, Maglio A, Pelaia C, Pelaia G, Vitale C. Pharmacotherapeutic strategies for critical asthma syndrome: a look at the state of the art. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:1505-1515. [PMID: 32456498 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1766023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 'Critical Asthma Syndrome' (CAS) is an umbrella term proposed to include several forms of asthma, responsible for acute and life-threatening exacerbations. CAS requires urgent and adequate supportive and pharmacological treatments to prevent serious outcomes. AREAS COVERED The purpose of this review is to discuss current knowledge on the pharmacotherapeutic strategies for treatment of CAS. EXPERT OPINION Airflow limitation, airway wall edema, and mucus plugs are the pathophysiological targets of pharmacological therapies. Strategies to achieve these goals are based on the use of various classes of drugs. Inhaled beta2-agonists are the mainstay of the initial therapy of CAS. Inhaled anticholinergic agents may be considered in the treatment of CAS in addition to beta 2 agonists. Systemic corticosteroids should be administered as soon as possible in order to counteract airway inflammation and restore normal airway sensitivity. The effectiveness of pharmacological therapies in CAS is linked not only to the timely use of drugsbut also to the dosage and route of administration. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are essential for the management of CAS; however, prevention is the best cure. Although significant progress has been made, further efforts are needed to implement an optimal exacerbation prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vatrella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno , Salerno, Italy
| | - Angelantonio Maglio
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno , Salerno, Italy
| | - Corrado Pelaia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Respiratory Diseases, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Girolamo Pelaia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Respiratory Diseases, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carolina Vitale
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno , Salerno, Italy
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10
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Levin M, Ansotegui IJ, Bernstein J, Chang YS, Chikhladze M, Ebisawa M, Fiocchi A, Heffler E, Martin B, Morais-Almeida M, Papadopoulos NG, Peden D, Wong GWK. Acute asthma management during SARS-CoV2-pandemic 2020. World Allergy Organ J 2020; 13:100125. [PMID: 32411315 PMCID: PMC7221365 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed many medical practices in order to provide additional protection to both our patients and healthcare providers. In many cases this includes seeing patients through electronic means such as telehealth or telephone rather than seeing them in person. Asthma exacerbations cannot always be treated in this way. Problem Current emergency unit asthma guidelines recommend bronchodilators be administered by metered dose inhaler (MDI) and spacer for mild-moderate asthma and include it as a choice even in severe asthma, but many emergency units continue to prefer nebulised therapy for patients who urgently require beta-agonists. The utilization of nebulised therapy potentially increases the risk of aerosolization of the coronavirus. Since nosocomial transmission of respiratory pathogens is a major threat in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, use of nebulised therapy is of even greater concern due to the potential increased risk of infection spread to nearby patients and healthcare workers. Practical implications We propose a risk stratification plan that aims to avoid nebulised therapy, when possible, by providing an algorithm to help better delineate those who require nebulised therapy. Protocols that include strategies to allow flexibility in using MDIs rather than nebulisers in all but the most severe patients should help mitigate this risk of aerosolised infection transmission to patients and health care providers. Furthermore, expedient treatment of patients with high dose MDI therapy augmented with more rapid initiation of systemic therapy may help ensure patients are less likely to deteriorate to the stage where nebulisers are required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yoon-Seok Chang
- Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Motohiro Ebisawa
- National Hospital Organization, Sagamihara National Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagwa, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - David Peden
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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11
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Craig S, Babl FE, Dalziel SR, Gray C, Powell C, Al Ansari K, Lyttle MD, Roland D, Benito J, Velasco R, Hoeffe J, Moldovan D, Thompson G, Schuh S, Zorc JJ, Kwok M, Mahajan P, Johnson MD, Sapien R, Khanna K, Rino P, Prego J, Yock A, Fernandes RM, Santhanam I, Cheema B, Ong G, Chong SL, Graudins A. Acute severe paediatric asthma: study protocol for the development of a core outcome set, a Pediatric Emergency Reserarch Networks (PERN) study. Trials 2020; 21:72. [PMID: 31931862 PMCID: PMC6956506 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3785-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute severe childhood asthma is an infrequent, but potentially life-threatening emergency condition. There is a wide range of different approaches to this condition, with very little supporting evidence, leading to significant variation in practice. To improve knowledge in this area, there must first be consensus on how to conduct clinical trials, so that valid comparisons can be made between future studies. We have formed an international working group comprising paediatricians and emergency physicians from North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Central America, Australasia and the United Kingdom. METHODS/DESIGN A 5-stage approach will be used: (1) a comprehensive list of outcomes relevant to stakeholders will be compiled through systematic reviews and qualitative interviews with patients, families, and clinicians; (2) Delphi methodology will be applied to reduce the comprehensive list to a core outcome set; (3) we will review current clinical practice guidelines, existing clinical trials, and literature on bedside assessment of asthma severity. We will then identify practice differences in tne clinical assessment of asthma severity, and determine whether further prospective work is needed to achieve agreement on inclusion criteria for clinical trials in acute paediatric asthma in the emergency department (ED) setting; (4) a retrospective chart review in Australia and New Zealand will identify the incidence of serious clinical complications such as intubation, ICU admission, and death in children hospitalized with acute severe asthma. Understanding the incidence of such outcomes will allow us to understand how common (and therefore how feasible) particular outcomes are in asthma in the ED setting; and finally (5) a meeting of the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks (PERN) asthma working group will be held, with invitation of other clinicians interested in acute asthma research, and patients/families. The group will be asked to achieve consensus on a core set of outcomes and to make recommendations for the conduct of clinical trials in acute severe asthma. If this is not possible, the group will agree on a series of prioritized steps to achieve this aim. DISCUSSION The development of an international consensus on core outcomes is an important first step towards the development of consensus guidelines and standardised protocols for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this population. This will enable us to better interpret and compare future studies, reduce risks of study heterogeneity and outcome reporting bias, and improve the evidence base for the management of this important condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Craig
- Paediatric Emergency Department, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Franz E. Babl
- Emergency Department, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Network, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stuart R. Dalziel
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Network, Melbourne, Australia
- Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charmaine Gray
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Network, Melbourne, Australia
- Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Colin Powell
- Emergency Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Pediatric Emergency Research Qatar (PERQ) Network, ., Qatar
| | - Khalid Al Ansari
- Emergency Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Pediatric Emergency Research Qatar (PERQ) Network, ., Qatar
| | - Mark D. Lyttle
- Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
- Paediatric Emergency Research in the United Kingdom and Ireland (PERUKI), ., UK
| | - Damian Roland
- Paediatric Emergency Research in the United Kingdom and Ireland (PERUKI), ., UK
- SAPPHIRE Group, Health Sciences, Leicester University, Leicester, UK
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine Leicester Academic (PEMLA) Group, Children’s Emergency Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
| | - Javier Benito
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Cruces University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Basque Country University, San Sebastian, Spain
- Red de Investigación SEUP (Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas) Network, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Velasco
- Red de Investigación SEUP (Sociedad Española de Urgencias Pediátricas) Network, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Julia Hoeffe
- University of Switzerland, ., Switzerland
- Inselspital, University Hospital of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
- Research in European Pediatric Emergency Medicine (REPEM) Network, Leicester, UK
| | - Diana Moldovan
- Research in European Pediatric Emergency Medicine (REPEM) Network, Leicester, UK
- Emergency Department, Tirgu Mures Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Graham Thompson
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
- Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) Network, Calgary, Alberta Canada
| | - Suzanne Schuh
- Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) Network, Calgary, Alberta Canada
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joseph J. Zorc
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Maria Kwok
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
- Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), New York, USA
| | - Prashant Mahajan
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Pediatric Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), Utah, USA
| | - Michael D. Johnson
- Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), New York, USA
- University of Utah, Utah, USA
| | - Robert Sapien
- Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), New York, USA
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Kajal Khanna
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
- Global Pediatric Emergency Equity Lab at Stanford University, Stanford CA, USA
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee (PEMCRC), Itasca, Illinois USA
| | - Pedro Rino
- Hospital de Pediatría “Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan”, Buenos Aries, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aries, Argentina
- Red de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Emergencia Pediátrica Latinoamericana (RIDEPLA), Leicester, UK
| | - Javier Prego
- Red de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Emergencia Pediátrica Latinoamericana (RIDEPLA), Leicester, UK
- Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Yock
- Red de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Emergencia Pediátrica Latinoamericana (RIDEPLA), Leicester, UK
- Hospital Nacional de Niños “Dr. Carlos Saenz Herrera”, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ricardo M. Fernandes
- Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Clinica e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Baljit Cheema
- Emergency Medical Services, Western Cape Health, Belville, South Africa
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gene Ong
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu-Ling Chong
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andis Graudins
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Network, Melbourne, Australia
- Emergency Medicine Service, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
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12
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Acute Severe Asthma in Adolescent and Adult Patients: Current Perspectives on Assessment and Management. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8091283. [PMID: 31443563 PMCID: PMC6780340 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease that is associated with variable expiratory flow, variable respiratory symptoms, and exacerbations which sometimes require hospitalization or may be fatal. It is not only patients with severe and poorly controlled asthma that are at risk for an acute severe exacerbation, but this has also been observed in patients with otherwise mild or moderate asthma. This review discusses current aspects on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of acute severe asthma exacerbations and provides the current perspectives on the management of acute severe asthma attacks in the emergency department and the intensive care unit.
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13
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Herrera AM, Brand P, Cavada G, Koppmann A, Rivas M, Mackenney J, Sepúlveda H, Wevar ME, Cruzat L, Soto S, Pérez MA, León A, Contreras I, Alvarez C, Walker B, Flores C, Lezana V, Garrido C, Herrera ME, Rojas A, Andrades C, Chala E, Martínez RA, Vega M, Perillán JA, Seguel H, Przybyzsweski I. Treatment, outcomes and costs of asthma exacerbations in Chilean children: a prospective multicenter observational study. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2019; 47:282-288. [PMID: 30595390 PMCID: PMC7125869 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe potential regional variations in therapies for severe asthma exacerbations in Chilean children and estimate the associated health expenditures. METHODS Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals over a one-year period. Children five years of age or older were eligible for inclusion. Days with oxygen supply and pharmacological treatments received were recorded from the clinical chart. A basic asthma hospitalization basket was defined in order to estimate the average hospitalization cost for a single patient. Six months after discharge, new visits to the Emergency Room (ER), use of systemic corticosteroids and adherence to the controller treatment were evaluated. RESULTS 396 patients were enrolled. Patients from the public health system and from the north zone received significantly more days of oxygen, systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Great heterogeneity in antibiotic use among the participating hospitals was found, from 0 to 92.3% (ICC 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.52). The use of aminophylline, magnesium sulfate and ketamine varied from 0 to 36.4% between the different Pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICC 0.353, 95% CI 0.010-0.608). The average cost per inpatient was of $1910 USD. 290 patients (73.2%) completed the follow-up six months after discharge. 76 patients (26.2%) were not receiving any controller treatment and nearly a fourth had new ER visits and use of systemic corticosteroids due to new asthma exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS Considerable practice variation in asthma exacerbations treatment was found among the participating hospitals, highlighting the poor outcome of many patients after hospital discharge, with an important health cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Herrera
- Santa María Clinic, Santa María 500, Santiago, Zip Code 7520378 Región Metropolitana, Chile; School of Medicine, Los Andes University, Monseñor Alvaro del Portillo 12455, Santiago, Zip Code 7620001 Región Metropolitana, Chile.
| | - P Brand
- Isala Women's and Children's Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - G Cavada
- School of Medicine, Finis Terrae University, Av Providencia 1509, Santiago, Zip Code 7501015 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - A Koppmann
- San Borja Arriarán Hospital, Av Santa Rosa 1234, Santiago, Zip Code 8360160 Región Metropolitana, Chile; School of Medicine, University of Chile, Chile
| | - M Rivas
- San Borja Arriarán Hospital, Av Santa Rosa 1234, Santiago, Zip Code 8360160 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - J Mackenney
- Roberto del Río Hospital, Av Profesor Zañartu 1085, Santiago, Zip Code 8380418 Región Metropolitana, Chile; School of Medicine, University of Chile, Chile
| | - H Sepúlveda
- Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital, Av Antonio Varas 360, Santiago, Zip Code 7500539 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - M E Wevar
- Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital, Av Antonio Varas 360, Santiago, Zip Code 7500539 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - L Cruzat
- Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital, Av Antonio Varas 360, Santiago, Zip Code 7500539 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - S Soto
- Concepción Regional Hospital, San Martín 1436, Concepción, Zip Code 4070038 Región del Bío Bío, Chile
| | - M A Pérez
- Santa María Clinic, Santa María 500, Santiago, Zip Code 7520378 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - A León
- Santa María Clinic, Santa María 500, Santiago, Zip Code 7520378 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - I Contreras
- Padre Hurtado Hospital, Esperanza 2150, Santiago, Zip Code 8880465 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - C Alvarez
- Alemana Clinic, Av Vitacura 5951, Santiago, Zip Code 7650568 Región Metropolitana, Chile; School of Medicine, Desarrollo University, Av Las Condes 12496, Santiago, Zip Code 7590943 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - B Walker
- Alemana Clinic, Av Vitacura 5951, Santiago, Zip Code 7650568 Región Metropolitana, Chile; School of Medicine, Desarrollo University, Av Las Condes 12496, Santiago, Zip Code 7590943 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - C Flores
- Ovalle Hospital, Ariztía Pte. 7, Ovalle, Zip Code 1842054 Región de Coquimbo, Chile
| | - V Lezana
- Gustavo Fricke Hospital, Av Alvarez 1532, Viña del Mar, Zip Code 2570017 Región de Valparaíso, Chile
| | - C Garrido
- Gustavo Fricke Hospital, Av Alvarez 1532, Viña del Mar, Zip Code 2570017 Región de Valparaíso, Chile
| | - M E Herrera
- José Joaquín Aguirre Hospital, Santos Dumont 999, Santiago, Zip Code 8380456 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - A Rojas
- José Joaquín Aguirre Hospital, Santos Dumont 999, Santiago, Zip Code 8380456 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - C Andrades
- Valdivia Hospital, Coronel Santiago Bueras y Avaria 1003, Valdivia, Zip Code 5090146 Región de los Ríos, Chile
| | - E Chala
- Fusat Hospital, Carretera el Cobre Presidente Frei Montalva 1002, Zip Code 2820945 Rancagua, VI Región, Chile; School of Medicine, Los Andes University, Monseñor Alvaro del Portillo 12455, Santiago, Zip Code 7620001 Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - R A Martínez
- Fusat Hospital, Carretera el Cobre Presidente Frei Montalva 1002, Zip Code 2820945 Rancagua, VI Región, Chile
| | - M Vega
- Leonardo Guzmán Hospital, Veintiuno de Mayo 1310, Zip Code 1271847 Antofagasta, Región de Antofagasta, Chile
| | - J A Perillán
- San Juan De Dios Hospital, Huérfanos 3255, Zip Code 8350488 Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile; School of Medicine, University of Chile, Chile
| | - H Seguel
- San Juan De Dios Hospital, Huérfanos 3255, Zip Code 8350488 Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - I Przybyzsweski
- San Juan De Dios Hospital, Huérfanos 3255, Zip Code 8350488 Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
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14
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Al-Shamrani A, Al-Harbi AS, Bagais K, Alenazi A, Alqwaiee M. Management of asthma exacerbation in the emergency departments. Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med 2019; 6:61-67. [PMID: 31388549 PMCID: PMC6676463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpam.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adel S Al-Harbi
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Bagais
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayed Alenazi
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mansour Alqwaiee
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Indinnimeo L, Chiappini E, Miraglia Del Giudice M. Guideline on management of the acute asthma attack in children by Italian Society of Pediatrics. Ital J Pediatr 2018; 44:46. [PMID: 29625590 PMCID: PMC5889573 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-018-0481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute asthma attack is a frequent condition in children. It is one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visit and hospitalization. Appropriate care is fundamental, considering both the high prevalence of asthma in children, and its life-threatening risks. Italian Society of Pediatrics recently issued a guideline on the management of acute asthma attack in children over age 2, in ambulatory and emergency department settings. METHODS The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was adopted. A literature search was performed using the Cochrane Library and Medline/PubMed databases, retrieving studies in English or Italian and including children over age 2 year. RESULTS Inhaled ß2 agonists are the first line drugs for acute asthma attack in children. Ipratropium bromide should be added in moderate/severe attacks. Early use of systemic steroids is associated with reduced risk of ED visits and hospitalization. High doses of inhaled steroids should not replace systemic steroids. Aminophylline use should be avoided in mild/moderate attacks. Weak evidence supports its use in life-threatening attacks. Epinephrine should not be used in the treatment of acute asthma for its lower cost / benefit ratio, compared to β2 agonists. Intravenous magnesium solphate could be used in children with severe attacks and/or forced expiratory volume1 (FEV1) lower than 60% predicted, unresponsive to initial inhaled therapy. Heliox could be administered in life-threatening attacks. Leukotriene receptor antagonists are not recommended. CONCLUSIONS This Guideline is expected to be a useful resource in managing acute asthma attacks in children over age 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Indinnimeo
- Pediatric Department "Sapienza" University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Woman and Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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Craig SS, Dalziel SR, Powell CVE, Graudins A, Babl FE, Lunny C. Interventions for escalation of therapy for acute exacerbations of asthma in children: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon S Craig
- Monash University; Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Clayton Victoria Australia
- Monash Medical Centre, Monash Emergency Service, Monash Health; Paediatric Emergency Department; Clayton Australia
| | - Stuart R Dalziel
- The University of Auckland; Liggins Institute; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Colin VE Powell
- Cardiff University; Department of Child Health, The Division of Population Medicine, The School of Medicine; Cardiff UK
| | - Andis Graudins
- Monash University; Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Clayton Victoria Australia
- Dandenong Hospital; Monash Emergency Service, Monash Health; Dandenong Australia
| | - Franz E Babl
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Emergency Research; Flemington Road Parkville Victoria Australia 3052
- Royal Children's Hospital; Emergency Department; Parkville Australia
- University of Melbourne; Department of Paediatrics; Parkville Australia
| | - Carole Lunny
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University; Cochrane Australia; 553 St Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria Australia 3004
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Albertson TE, Schivo M, Gidwani N, Kenyon NJ, Sutter ME, Chan AL, Louie S. Pharmacotherapy of critical asthma syndrome: current and emerging therapies. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2015; 48:7-30. [PMID: 24178860 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-013-8393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The critical asthma syndrome (CAS) encompasses the most severe, persistent, refractory asthma patients for the clinician to manage. Personalized pharmacotherapy is necessary to prevent the next acute severe asthma exacerbation, not just the control of symptoms. The 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel 3 provides guidelines for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma. The patient's response to recommended pharmacotherapy is highly variable which risks poor asthma control leading to frequent exacerbations that can deteriorate into CAS. Controlling asthma symptoms and preventing acute exacerbations may be two separate clinical activities with their own unique demands. Clinicians must be prepared to use the entire spectrum of asthma medications available but must concurrently be aware of potential drug toxicities some of which can paradoxically worsen asthma control. Medications normally prescribed for COPD can potentially be useful in the CAS patient, particularly those with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. Immunomodulation with drugs like omalizumab in IgE-mediated asthma syndromes is one important approach. New and emerging drugs address unique aspects of airway inflammation and biology but at a significant financial cost. The pharmacology and toxicities of the agents that may be used in the treatment of CAS to control asthma symptoms and prevent severe exacerbations are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Albertson
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA,
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18
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Evaluation and treatment of critical asthma syndrome in children. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2015; 48:66-83. [PMID: 24488329 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-014-8408-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The heterogeneity of asthma is illustrated by the significantly different features of pediatric asthma compared to adult asthma. One phenotype of severe asthma in pediatrics includes atopy, lack of reduction in lung function, and absence of gender bias as the main characteristics. Included in the NIH NAEPP EPR-3 are recommendations for the treatment and management of severe pediatric asthma and critical asthma syndrome, such as continuous nebulization treatments, intubation and mechanical ventilation, heliox, and magnesium sulfate. In addition, epinephrine, intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous montelukast, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and many biological modulators currently under investigation are additional current and/or future treatment modalities for the severe pediatric asthmatic. But, perhaps the most important strategy for managing the severe asthmatic is preventative treatment, which can significantly decrease impairment and risk, particularly for severe acute exacerbations requiring emergency care and/or hospitalization. In order for preventative therapy to be successful, several challenges must be met, including selecting the correct therapy for each patient and then ensuring compliance or adherence to a treatment plan. The heterogeneity of asthma renders the former difficult in that not all patients will respond equally to the same treatment; the latter is only helpful if the correct treatment is employed. Strategies to ensure compliance include education of caregivers and patients and their families. As newer medications are introduced, options for individualized or customized medicine increase, and this may pave the way for significant decreases in morbidity and mortality in severe pediatric asthma.
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Tennyson J. Controversies in the Care of the Acute Asthmatic in the Prehospital and Emergency Department Environments. CURRENT EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40138-015-0082-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Ibrahim AF, Blohm E, Hammad H. Management of Status Asthmaticus. CURRENT EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40138-015-0081-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Travers AH, Jones AP, Camargo CA, Milan SJ, Rowe BH. Intravenous beta(2)-agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 12:CD010256. [PMID: 23235686 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhaled beta(2)-agonist therapy is central to the management of acute asthma. For rapid bronchodilation in severe cases, penetration of inhaled drug to the affected small conducting airway may be impeded, and the intravenous (IV) rather than inhaled administration of bronchodilators may provide an earlier response. IV beta(2)-agonist agents and IV aminophylline may also be considered as additional interventions in this setting and this review compares IV beta-agonist agents and IV aminophylline in the treatment of people with acute asthma. OBJECTIVES To compare the benefit of IV beta(2)-agonists versus IV aminophylline for acute asthma treated in the emergency department and in patients admitted to hospital with acute severe asthma. SEARCH METHODS Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified using the Cochrane Airways Group Register, which is compiled from systematic searches of bibliographic databases as well as handsearching of respiratory journals and conference abstracts. The latest search was run in September 2012. We searched bibliographies from included studies and known reviews were also searched. Primary authors and content experts were contacted to identify eligible studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included RCTs of patients who presented to the emergency department with acute asthma, and patients admitted to hospital with acute severe asthma, and were treated with IV beta(2)-agonists versus IV aminophylline. Two review authors independently selected potentially relevant articles and selected articles for inclusion. Methodological quality was independently assessed using two scoring systems and two review authors. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were extracted independently by two review authors. Missing data were obtained from authors or calculated from data present in the papers. Trials were combined using a random-effects model for odds ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) and reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). MAIN RESULTS Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and in total they included 350 patients. However, opportunities to combine these studies in meta-analyses were limited by the variations in the range of outcomes reported in the trials.Length of stayTwo studies reported length of stay. They were both paediatric trials (with one in paediatric intensive care unit), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (MD 23.19 hours; 95% CI -2.40 to 48.77 hours; 2 studies; N = 73). Individual separate MD analyses for the two studies also indicated no significant difference between the aminophylline and beta(2)-agonist on this outcome. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution owing to the small number of trials and participants the analysis.Pulmonary functionThere were no significant differences in the sequential or summative pulmonary function demonstrated across the studies.Heart rateData for serial heart rates were reported in three studies at various points from 15 to 60 minutes and in each case there were no significant differences between people in the IV aminophylline or beta(2)-agonist groups. The difference between the two groups with respect to final heart rate was statistically significant (MD 10.00; 95% CI 0.99 to 19.01), although these data are from a single, small study and should be interpreted with caution.Adverse effectsThe analyses for giddiness (OR 59.22; 95% CI 2.80 to 1253.05; 1 study; N = 30), nausea/vomiting (where reported as a combined outcome) (OR 14.18; 95% CI 1.62 to 124.52; 2 studies; N = 96) and nausea (OR 6.53; 95% CI 1.60 to 26.72; 2 studies; N = 49) all significantly favoured beta(2)-agonists. In view of the very small number of studies and number of patients contributing to these analyses these results should be interpreted with caution. A closely related review considering the possible benefits of adding IV aminophylline to beta-agonists in adults with acute asthma also indicates a higher incidence of adverse effects associated with IV aminophylline. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In the included RCTs there was no consistent evidence favouring either IV beta(2)-agonists or IV aminophylline for patients with acute asthma. The opportunity to draw clear conclusions is limited by the heterogeneity of outcomes evaluated and the small sample sizes in the included studies. It is recommended that these data should be viewed carefully alongside the conclusions from separate Cochrane reviews comparing IV beta(2)-agonists plus inhaled beta(2)-agonists versus inhaled beta(2)-agonists alone and IV aminophylline plus inhaled beta(2)-agonists versus inhaled beta(2)-agonists alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H Travers
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology, Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia, Canada
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