Panax ginseng C.A Meyer root extract for moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impairs quality of life and leads to premature mortality. COPD sufferers experience progressive deterioration of lung function and decreased ability to undertake day-to-day activities. Ginseng has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine for respiratory symptoms.

Effect of spirometry and medical review on asthma control in patients in general practice: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Although guidelines for asthma emphasize the importance of spirometry for continuity and evaluation of care, it is underused in general practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of spirometry and medical review on asthma control in general practice over 12 months.

Methods: Patients were recruited through 31 practices, which were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group A had 3-monthly spirometry with medical review, Group B spirometry only before and after the trial, and Group C usual care.

Oral ginseng formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.

Ginseng alone or combined with other herbs has been increasingly used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral Ginseng formulae for stable COPD. Four English databases and three Chinese databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials.

Chronic suppurative lung disease and bronchiectasis in children and adults in Australia and New Zealand.

Consensus recommendations for managing chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD) and bronchiectasis, based on systematic reviews, were developed for Australian and New Zealand children and adults during a multidisciplinary workshop. The diagnosis of bronchiectasis requires a high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest. People with symptoms of bronchiectasis, but non-diagnostic scans, have CSLD, which may progress to radiological bronchiectasis.

Do spirometry and regular follow-up improve health outcomes in general practice patients with asthma or COPD? A cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether spirometry with regular medical review improves the quality of life or other health outcomes among patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) managed in general practice.

Design, Setting And Participants: Cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in 31 general practices in Melbourne during 2007-2008. Practices recruited 305 adult patients who had been prescribed inhaled medication in the preceding 6 months.

Inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators in rat peritoneal mast cells and murine macrophages by a Chinese herbal medicine formula (RCM-102).

RCM-102 is a Chinese herbal medicine formulation derived from a formula which was shown to be effective in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of RCM-102 on the formation of inflammatory mediators, histamine, prostaglandin and nitric oxide, which are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of SAR. The effect of RCM-102 on histamine release was tested in compound 48/80-stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells.

Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide production and iNOS protein expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat aorta and Raw 264.7 macrophages by ethanol extract of a Chinese herbal medicine formula (RCM-101) for allergic rhinitis.

Aim Of The Study: A Chinese herbal formula (RCM-101) has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of RCM-101 on the actions and synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). l-Arginine-induced endothelium-independent relaxations were studied in rat isolated aorta which was pre-treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Inhibition of release of vasoactive and inflammatory mediators in airway and vascular tissues and macrophages by a chinese herbal medicine formula for allergic rhinitis.

Herbal therapies are being used increasingly for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible pharmacological actions and cellular targets of a Chinese herbal formula (RCM-101), which was previously shown to be effective in reducing seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Rat and guinea pig isolated tissues (trachea and aorta) were used to study the effects of RCM-101 on responses to various mediators.

Using discrete choice experiments to investigate subject preferences for preventive asthma medication.

Background And Objective: Long-term adherence to inhaled corticosteroids is poor despite the crucial role of preventer medications in achieving good asthma outcomes. This study was undertaken to explore patient preferences in relation to their current inhaled corticosteroid medication, a hypothetical preventer or no medication.

Methods: A discrete choice experiment was conducted in 57 adults with mild-moderate asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness, who were using inhaled corticosteroid View Article and Find Full Text PDF

3. Drug hypersensitivity.

Most drug reactions are pharmacological reactions rather than hypersensitivity reactions. In assessing drug reactions, a detailed clinical history and careful documentation of reactions are most important. Elucidating the nature and time course (first versus subsequent exposure, immediate versus non-immediate) of a reaction can help to distinguish immune from non-immune hypersensitivity, as well as IgE-mediated from T cell-mediated allergy.

Back for more: a qualitative study of emergency department reattendance for asthma.

Objective: To explore the reasons why individuals recurrently present with asthma to hospital emergency departments.

Design: A predominantly qualitative study in which participants were interviewed in-depth about their asthma. Data on medication use, respiratory health and asthma knowledge were also collected, and asthma severity was determined from medical records.

Treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis by Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized placebo controlled trial.

Context: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is widely used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), however, evidence of efficacy is lacking.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a Chinese herbal formulation for the treatment of SAR.

Design: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

Patients' views of the burden of asthma: a qualitative study.

Objectives: To explore the burden of asthma on the lives of people presenting to hospital emergency departments for asthma treatment.

Design: A qualitative study. Consenting individuals with asthma who presented to emergency departments were interviewed in-depth, and interviews were taped, transcribed and thematically analysed.