The role of IL10 and IL17 gene polymorphisms in treatment response in children and adolescents with severe asthma.

Objective: To determine whether polymorphisms of the IL10 and IL17 genes are associated with severe asthma control and bronchodilator reversibility in children and adolescents with severe asthma.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, nested within a prospective cohort study of patients with severe asthma. Two outcomes were evaluated: asthma control and bronchodilator reversibility.

Exercise Limitation in Children and Adolescents With Severe Refractory Asthma: A Lack of Asthma Control?

Background: Patients with severe refractory asthma (SRA), even when using high doses of multiple controller medications in a regular and appropriate way, can have persistent complaints of exercise limitation.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with SRA (treated with ≥ 800 μg of budesonide or equivalent, with ≥ 80% adherence, appropriate inhaler technique, and comorbidities treated), who presented no signs of a lack of asthma control other than exercise limitation. We also evaluated healthy controls, matched to the patients for sex, age, and body mass index.

Use of home visits in pediatric severe asthma: randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of home visits in a group of children and adolescents with severe asthma by using the inhalation technique score and adherence rates to drug treatment.

Method: A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving patients aged between three and 17 years under regular follow-up treatment at a pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in southeastern Brazil. A group of patients received only outpatient consultations and the other group received home visits from nurses in addition to outpatient consultations.

[Peak expiratory flow rate in the management of cystic fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the role of peak expiratory flow, measured through portable meters, as an alternative test to assess pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis. METHODS: Forty-nine patients aged five to 19 years old in stable health condition and able to perform the peak expiratory flow maneuver were included. In the same visit, Shwachman-Kulczycki score was recorded.