Is Gly16Arg β2 Receptor Polymorphism Related to Impulse Oscillometry in a Real-Life Asthma Clinic Setting?

Purpose: We evaluated whether Gly16Arg beta2-receptor genotype relates to impulse oscillometry (IOS) in a real-life clinic setting.

Methods: Patients with persistent asthma taking inhaled corticosteroid ± long-acting beta-agonist (ICS ± LABA) were evaluated. We compared genotype groups comprising either no Arg copies (i.

Effects of Adding Tiotropium or Aclidinium as Triple Therapy Using Impulse Oscillometry in COPD.

Introduction: Long-acting muscarinic antagonists confer improvements in spirometry when used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists (ICS/LABA) in COPD. The dual objectives of this proof of concept study were to evaluate trough effects of tiotropium (TIO) or aclidinium (ACL) when used as triple therapy and to assess if impulse oscillometry (IOS) might be more sensitive than spirometry in detecting subtle differences in bronchodilator response.

Methods: Patients with moderate to severe COPD already taking ICS/LABA were randomized to receive add-on therapy in cross-over fashion with either TIO 18 µg od or ACL 322 µg bid for 2-3 weeks each.

Effects of formoterol or salmeterol on impulse oscillometry in patients with persistent asthma.

Background: Effects of small-particle long-acting β-agonists on the small airways have been poorly documented.

Objective: We used impulse oscillometry (IOS) to compare single and repeated dosing effects of small- and large-particle long-acting β-agonists.

Methods: After a 1- to 2-week run-in period, patients received either 12 μg of small-particle hydrofluoroalkane 134a-formoterol solution or 50 μg of large-particle salmeterol dry powder twice daily plus inhaled corticosteroid for 1 to 2 weeks with a 1- to 2-week washout period in between.

Usefulness of impulse oscillometry for the assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness in mild-to-moderate adult asthma.

Background: Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a novel method of assessing airway resistance. IOS is rarely used in assessing airway resistance after bronchoprovocation in adult asthma.

Objective: To ascertain the degree of change in IOS measurements seen in patients with asthma undergoing bronchial challenge testing.

Assessment of spirometry and impulse oscillometry in relation to asthma control.

Introduction: Guidelines advocate the use of spirometry to assess pulmonary function in asthmatic patients. Commonly used measures include forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC), and forced mid-expiratory flow between 25 and 75 % of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75). Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is an effort-independent test performed during tidal breathing.

Impact of long-acting bronchodilators and exposure to inhaled corticosteroids on mortality in COPD: a real-life retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: We performed a real-life retrospective analysis to assess the impact of long-acting bronchodilator therapy and associated exposure to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We used record linkage data from patients with a diagnosis of COPD in Tayside, Scotland, between 2001 and 2010. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression.

The inverse agonist propranolol confers no corticosteroid-sparing activity in mild-to-moderate persistent asthma.

The murine asthma model shows that switching off airway β2 receptors with an inverse agonist may confer anti-inflammatory effects as well as corticosteroid-sparing activity. We have assessed for any corticosteroid-sparing effects of propranolol, an inverse agonist, added to low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) compared with higher dose ICS. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial in mild-to-moderate persistent asthmatic patients was performed.

Unlocking the quiet zone: the small airway asthma phenotype.

The small airways in the distal lung have been called the quiet zone because they are difficult to assess and treat in patients with asthma who have disproportionate impairment of small airway function. Evidence is accumulating to support a distinct clinical phenotype for patients with asthma who have impaired small airway function. The small airway asthma phenotype, which is prevalent in patients at all steps of management guidelines, seems to be associated with poor disease control.

Influence of β(2)-adrenergic receptor polymorphism on methacholine hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients.

Background: We previously reported that the β(2)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) polymorphism had no effect on bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine in asthmatic patients. We have now replicated this analysis in a different and larger cohort of patients.

Objective: To assess the effect of the ADRB2 polymorphism in methacholine-responsive patients with asthma.

Tackling upper respiratory tract infections.

URTIs are the most common reason for general practice consultations. On average adults suffer two to three such infections per year. When assessing a patient with a URTI in general practice it is important to recognise which patients may require antibiotics, further investigations and/or hospital referral.