Ecuadorian healthcare professionals' perspectives on attributes of asthma care coordination: a qualitative study.

Objective: This study explored the attributes of asthma care coordination from the perspective of healthcare professionals at different levels of care in Ecuador.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study. The Integrated Health Networks Model was the theoretical framework of reference.

The Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)- test as add-on test in the diagnostic work-up of asthma: a study protocol.

Background: Asthma is a common disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the lower airways, bronchial hyperactivity, and (reversible) airway obstruction. The Global Initiative of Asthma Guideline recommends a flowchart to diagnose asthma with first-step spirometry with reversibility and a bronchial challenge test (BPT) with histamine or methacholine as a second step [1]. The BPT is considered burdensome, time-consuming for patients and staff, can cause side effects, and is expensive.

Differentiating interstitial lung diseases from other respiratory diseases using electronic nose technology.

Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may be difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases due to overlapping clinical presentation. Recognition of ILD is often late, causing delay which has been associated with worse clinical outcome. Electronic nose (eNose) sensor technology profiles volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath and has potential to detect ILD non-invasively.

Anti-IL-5/5Ra biologics improve work productivity and activity in severe asthma: a RAPSODI registry-based cohort study.

Introduction: Severe asthma is associated with a serious disease burden, partially caused by limitations in activity and work impairment.

Aims And Objectives: This study aims to relate treatment with biologics targeting IL-5/5Ra to work productivity and activity in the long term in a real-world context.

Material And Methods: This is a registry-based multi-center cohort study evaluating data from adults with severe eosinophilic asthma included in the Dutch Register of Adult Patients with Severe Asthma for Optimal DIsease management (RAPSODI).

The use of a direct bronchial challenge test in primary care to diagnose asthma.

Many asthmatics in primary care have mild symptoms and lack airflow obstruction. If variable expiratory airflow limitation cannot be determined by spirometry or peak expiratory flow, despite a history of respiratory symptoms, a positive bronchial challenge test (BCT) can confirm the diagnosis of asthma. However, BCT is traditionally performed in secondary care.

Longitudinal trends in clinical characteristics and lung function of patients with severe asthma under treatment in Brazil.

Background: The structural changes of the respiratory system related to ageing determine lung function decline in healthy subjects after 25 years of age. An annual reduction of 25 ml in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) is expected. We aimed to describe the longitudinal lung function variation of subjects with severe asthma receiving appropriate treatment.

Development of an integral assessment approach of health status in patients with obstructive airway diseases: the CORONA study.

Background: Traditional assessment of patients with obstructive lung diseases (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COPD) relies on physiological tests. The COPD and Asthma Rotterdam Integrated Care Approach (CORONA) study aims to develop a diagnostic pathway with a more comprehensive approach to the assessment of patients with asthma and COPD in secondary care.

Methods: An eight-step method was used to develop and implement the pathway for patients with asthma or COPD referred to an outpatient hospital setting.