Application analysis of pidotimod in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children accompanied by allergic asthma

Objective:To observe the application effect of pidotimod in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children accompanied by allergic asthma.Methods:A total of 60 children with allergic rhinitis accompanied by allergic asthma who were admitted in our hospital from January, 2013 to January, 2015 were included in the study and randomized into the treatment group and the control group with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the two groups were given routine treatments in combined with sublingual immunotherapy. On this basis, the patients in the treatment group were given additional pidotimod. The immunological function, inflammatory cytokine level, and pulmonary function improvement in the two groups were observed. Results:The immunological function, inflammatory cytokine level, and pulmonary function improvement in the treatment group were significantly superior to those in the control group. Conclusions:Pidotimod can significantly enhance the immunological function in children with allergic rhinitis in children accompanied by allergic asthma, alleviate the inflammatory reaction, and promote the pulmonary function improvement, with an accurate efficacy.

Clarifying the relationship and analyzing the influential factors of bronchial asthma in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND Bronchial asthma is closely related to the occurrence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)in children,which can easily have adverse effects on children’s learning and social interactions.Studies have shown that childhood asthma can increase the risk of ADHD and the core symptoms of ADHD.Compared with children with ADHD alone,children with asthma and ADHD are more likely to show high levels of hyperactivity,hyperactive-impulsive and other externalizing behaviors and anxiety in clinical practice and have more symptoms of somatization and emotional internalization.AIM To explore the relationship between ADHD in children and bronchial asthma and to analyze its influencing factors.METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Dongying People's Hospital from September 2018 to August 2023.Children diagnosed with ADHD at this hospital were selected as the ADHD group,while healthy children without ADHD who underwent physical examinations during the same period served as the control group.Clinical and parental data were collected for all participating children,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for comorbid asthma in children with ADHD.RESULTSSignificant differences were detected between the ADHD group and the control group in terms of family history ofasthma and allergic diseases, maternal complications during pregnancy, maternal use of asthma and allergymedications during pregnancy, maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy, and parental relationshipstatus (P < 0.05). Out of the 183 children in the ADHD group, 25 had comorbid asthma, resulting in a comorbidityrate of 13.66% (25/183), compared to the comorbidity rate of 2.91% (16/549) among the 549 children in the controlgroup. The difference in the asthma comorbidity rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P <0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that family history of asthma and allergicdiseases, maternal complications during pregnancy, maternal use of asthma and allergy medications duringpregnancy, maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy, and parental relationship status are independentrisk factors increasing the risk of comorbid asthma in children with ADHD (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONChildren with ADHD were more likely to have comorbid asthma than healthy control children were. A familyhistory of asthma, adverse maternal factors during pregnancy, and parental relationship status were identified asrisk factors influencing the comorbidity of asthma in children with ADHD. Clinically, targeted interventions basedon these factors can be implemented to reduce the risk of comorbid asthma. This information is relevant for resultssections of abstracts in scientific articles.

Comparison of Allergic Rhinitis and Bronchial Asthma Impacts on Tympanometric Parameters in Children at Kano, Nigeria

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a multifocal IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity reaction that affects sino-nasal mucosa and is characterized by excessive sneezing, watery rhinorrhea, nasal itching, nasal stuffiness and eyes itching. Bronchial asthma (BA) is one of the common childhood diseases that affects the respiratory system characterized by recurrent cough, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty with breathing. The two conditions are different manifestations of allergic disease of the airway;the composition of the inflammatory substrate in the mucosa of allergic patients is similar to the late-phase allergic response seen elsewhere in the respiratory tract, such as in bronchial asthma. Aim: The aim was to compare the impacts of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma on tympanometric parameters in children. Patients & Methods: This is a hospital based comparative cross-sectional study. Two groups of participants aged 4 - 12 years, one group with documented clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and the other group with documented clinical diagnosis of bronchial asthma were consecutively selected from ear, nose and throat (ENT) and pediatrics cardiopulmonary outpatient clinics of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano respectively. Equal number of children aged 4 - 12 years with no history of ENT diseases or bronchial asthma that were selected from elementary schools within the same community served as a control group. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was filled out for all the participants, complete ENT and chest examinations were carried out and subsequently all the selected participants had tympanometry done, findings were recorded and analyzed. Results: The mean age of participants with bronchial asthma was found to be 7.5 ± 2.6 years while participants with allergic rhinitis had the mean age of 6.8 ± 2.1 years. The mean middle ear pressure (MEP) of participants with bronchial asthma was found to be -15.22 dapa and -40.32 dapa in those with allergic rhinitis. Acoustic reflex was found to be absent in 15.4% of the participants with bronchial asthma and 29.6% of allergic rhinitis participants. Type B tympanogram was found in 2.8% of bronchial asthma participants and 7.3% in participants with allergic rhinitis. Type C tympanogram was found in 4.6% of participants with bronchial asthma and 15.5% of participants with allergic rhinitis. Type A tympanogram was found in 90% of participants with bronchial asthma and 75% of participants with allergic rhinitis. The difference between type A, B and C tympanograms of participants with bronchial asthma and those with allergic rhinitis was found to be statistically significant (Type A χ2 = 14.62, df = 4, p value = 0.01, Type B χ2 = 14.06, df = 4, p value = 0.01, Type C χ2 = 17.01, df = 6, p value = 0.01). Conclusion: Participants with allergic rhinitis were found to have more abnormalities of tympanometric parameters compared to participants with bronchial asthma which signifies allergic rhinitis conferred an increased risk of having middle ear diseases and otitis media with effusion compared to bronchial asthma.

Research Progress on Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Children with Bronchial Asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to the physical and mental health of children globally.Currently,pulmonary rehabilitation is a non-pharmacological intervention that has shown promise in treating chronic respiratory diseases.However,most studies related to pulmonary rehabilitation only focus on chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),lung cancer,and bronchiectasis.Research on bronchial asthma in children is still in the preliminary stages.This article reviews the concept,basic content,and application mode of pulmonary rehabilitation,to provide reference for the clinical research of pulmonary rehabilitation in children with bronchial asthma,and to carry out multimodal pulmonary rehabilitation to improve the disease control level and quality of life of asthma in children.

Research Progress in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Health Management for School-Age Children with Asthma

Objective:The purpose of this study is to investigate the application of Chinese and Western medicine in the health management of school-age children with asthma and its research progress,with a view to providing a more comprehensive and effective management strategy for the clinic.Methods:Using the method of literature review,this study systematically searched and analyzed the relevant studies on the combination of Chinese and Western medicine in the health management of school-aged children with asthma in recent years,focusing on Chinese medicine treatment,Western medicine treatment,and the combined health management of Chinese and Western medicine.Results:Chinese medicine treatment,Western medicine treatment,and the health management mode of combining Chinese and Western medicine showed unique advantages in school-age asthmatic children.Through the comprehensive use of Chinese medicine’s diagnosis and treatment,Chinese medicine conditioning,Chinese medicine characteristic therapy,and Western medicine’s modern medical methods,it not only effectively relieved asthma symptoms but also significantly improved the quality of life of the children.At the same time,this management mode also focuses on the psychological guidance and family care of the children,forming an all-round and multi-level health management system.Conclusion:The health management strategy of combining Chinese and Western medicine has a broad application prospect in school-age asthmatic children,and its specific interventions and mechanisms of action should be further studied to provide more scientific and systematic guidance for clinical practice.

COVID-19 frequency and clinical course in children with asthma

BACKGROUND The epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection,known as the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),has caused a global health concern.Since its emergence,numerous studies have focused on various clinical manifestations and outcomes in different populations.However,studies are ongoing as the consequences and impact of COVID-19 in children with chronic diseases such as asthma are controversial.AIM To fill this research gap by retrospectively evaluating the course,laboratory,and clinical findings of COVID-19 among 414 asthmatic children followed up from the pediatric allergy outpatient clinic and known to have had COVID-19.METHODS The data of 5510 patients over the age of 5 diagnosed with asthma in our hospital's data were retrospectively scanned with specific parameters using protocol numbers from the hospital filing system.The data included retrospective evaluation of pulmonary function test results before and after COVID-19,routine hematological and biochemical parameters,sensitization states(total IgE,specific IgE,and skin prick test results),and radiological(computed tomography)findings.To inquire about the course and symptoms of COVID-19,asthma patients or their parents were then called and evaluated with a questionnaire.RESULTS As a result of retrospectively scanning the data of 5510 asthma patients over the age of 5,it was determined that 414(7.5%)patients had COVID-19.The mean age of 414 patients was 17.18±4.08(min:6;max:28)years.Two hundred and three of our 414 patients are male,and 211 are female.When their vaccination status was questioned,21.5% were vaccinated.When the symptoms of our 290 patients were questioned,it was stated that 59.0% had fever symptoms.The rate of using regular prophylactic asthma medications was 19%.The rate of using salbutamol in asthma was found to be 22%.The rate of patients using methylprednisolone was 1%.Emergency service admission was 17.2%,and hospitalization was found to be 4.8%.Leukopenia(<4000)was found in 14.1%of patients,and 8.08% of our patients had neutropenia(<1500).Lymphopenia(<1500)was detected in 44.4% of patients,and lymphocytosis(>4000)was found in 5.05% of patients.In 65% of our patients,the C-reactive protein value was elevated.A high aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase value was detected in 3.2% and 5.4% of patients were found,respectively.31%of patients had an elevated lactate dehydrogenase value.Typical radiological findings for COVID-19 were detected in 3/309 of patients.CONCLUSION According to our study,there is a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and asthma symptoms and the course of the disease.However,it is worth noting that the retrospective nature of the study and the differences in sample size,age,and demographic characteristics between the two groups do not allow for an optimal comparison.Therefore,further investigation is needed to explore the relationship between COVID-19 and asthma,and it can be suggested that COVID-19 may trigger asthma attacks and asthma may impact the course of COVID-19.

Effects of dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with pidotimod on inflammatory response and immune response in children with allergic rhinitis combined with asthma

Objective: To investigate the effects of dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with pidotimod on inflammatory response and immune response in children with allergic rhinitis combined with asthma. Methods: A total of 118 children with allergic rhinitis combined with asthma who were treated in our hospital between December 2014 and May 2017 were selected as the research subjects and divided into the control group (n=59) and the dermatophagoides farinae drops group (n=59) by random number table method. Control group received both conventional therapy and pidotimod therapy, and dermatophagoides farinae drops group received both conventional therapy and dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with pidotimod therapy. The differences in inflammatory factor, cellular immunity index and humoral immunity index levels were compared between the two groups before treatment (T0), after 3 months of treatment (T1), after 6 months of treatment (T2) and after 12 months of treatment (T3). Results: At T0, inflammatory factor, cellular immunity index and humoral immunity index levels were not significantly different between the two groups. At T1, T2 and T3, serum inflammatory factor IL-2 contents of dermatophagoides farinae drops group were higher than those of control group at the corresponding time points whereas IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-18 contents were lower than those of control group at the corresponding time points;peripheral blood cellular immunity indexes CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+levels were higher than those of control group at the corresponding time points;serum humoral immunity indexes IgA, IgM and IgG contents were higher than those of control group at the corresponding time points whereas IgE contents were lower than those of control group at the corresponding time points. Conclusion: Dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with pidotimod therapy can effectively reduce the inflammatory response degree and optimize the cellular and humoral immune function of the children with allergic rhinitis combined with asthma.

Assessment of the ventilation function and serum biochemical indexes after sublingual dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with loratadine treatment of children with asthma and allergic rhinitis

Objective:To study the ventilation function after sublingual dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with loratadine treatment of children with asthma and allergic rhinitis and the influence on serum biochemical indexes.Methods: A total of 40 children with asthma and allergic rhinitis treated in our hospital between September 2013 and March 2015 were collected and divided into the control group (n=22) who accepted loratadine therapy alone and the observation group (n=18) who accepted sublingual dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with loratadine therapy after the treatment was reviewed. Before treatment and after 6 months and 1 year of treatment, spirometer was used to test ventilation function indexes;ELISA method was used to determine the contents of inflammatory mediators;RIA method was used to determine the contents of airway remodeling indicators.Results:Before treatment, differences in ventilation function index levels as well as inflammatory mediator and airway remodeling index contents were not statistically significant between two groups of children. After 6 months and 1 year of treatment, FEV1, FVC and PEF levels of observation group were higher than those of control group;serum IL-2 content was higher than that of control group while IL-5, IL-17 and IL-33 contents were lower than those of control group;serum PDGF-BB, TGF-β1 and NF-κB contents were lower than those of control group.Conclusion:Sublingual dermatophagoides farinae drops combined with loratadine therapy can optimize the ventilation function, reduce the systemic inflammatory response and inhibit airway remodeling in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Effect of Sublingual Immunotherapy on Level of Cytokines in PBMCs of Patients with Allergic Asthma

This study examined the possible mechanism of sublingual immunotherapy（SLIT） in the treatment of allergic asthma.Forty asthma patients allergic to dust mite were enrolled.They received SLIT with dermatophagoides farinae（Der.f） drops for one year.Thirty healthy subjects served as controls.The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ of peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMCs） were determined in allergic asthma patients before and after the SLIT as well as the healthy subjects.The results showed that the level of IL-4 was substantially increased and that of IFN-γ remarkably decreased in the patients before the SLIT as compared with those in the healthy subjects（P0.05）.After the SLIT,the level of IL-4 was significantly reduced and that of IFN-γ elevated in these allergic asthma patients.It was concluded that sublingual immunotherapy is effective for patients with allergic asthma.And it may work by regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 through changing the expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ in PBMCs.

Single-allergen Sublingual Immunotherapy versus Multi-allergen Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for Children with Allergic Rhinitis

It has always been controversial whether a single allergen performs better than multiple allergens in polysensitized patients during the allergen-specific immunotherapy. This study aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of single-allergen sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) versus multi-allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT) and to discover the change of the biomarker IL-4 after 1-year immunotherapy in polysensitized children aged 6–13 years with allergic rhinitis(AR) induced by house dust mites(HDMs). The AR polysensitized children(n=78) were randomly divided into two groups: SLIT group and SCIT group. Patients in the SLIT group sublingually received a single HDM extract and those in the SCIT group were subcutaneously given multiple-allergen extracts(HDM in combination with other clinically relevant allergen extracts). Before and 1 year after the allergen-specific immunotherapy(ASIT), the total nasal symptom scores(TNSS), total medication scores(TMS) and IL-4 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) were compared respectively between the two groups. The results showed that the TNSS were greatly improved, and the TMS and IL-4 levels were significantly decreased after 1-year ASIT in both groups(SLIT group: P<0.001; SCIT group: P<0.001). There were no significant differences in any outcome measures between the two groups(for TNSS: P>0.05; for TMS: P>0.05; for IL-4 levels: P>0.05). It was concluded that the clinical efficacy of single-allergen SLIT is comparable with that of multi-allergen SCIT in 6–13-year-old children with HDM-induced AR.

Efficacy Analysis of Glucocorticoids in the Treatment of Allergic Purpura in Tibetan Children

Background: Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is a common immune-related allergic disease in children. It is very important to understand the clinical features of this disease for doctors. Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of glucocorticoids in the treatment of HSP in Tibetan children at high altitude, and to analyze the possible causes of HSP in children at high altitude. The risk factors of the disease provide a reference for the treatment of HSP in children in high altitude areas. Methods: Selecting January 2015 to November 2020, 88 children diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura in the outpatient and inpatient departments of the People’s Hospital of Bomi County, Tibet Autonomous Region were the subjects of the study. Its gender, age of onset, season of onset, predisposing factors, allergy history, first symptoms, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, etc., perform retrospective analysis. Results: Among 88 children with allergic purpura, 55 were boys, accounting for 62.5%, and 33 were girls, accounting for 37.5%. Men have more cases than women. All have clinical manifestations of purpura of the skin, among which 35 cases have obvious triggers, of which the above there were 26 cases of respiratory infections, 6 cases of dietary factors, and 3 cases of contact with allergic substances. Simple skin type: 18 cases, accounting for 20.45%;Abdominal type: 6 cases, accounting for 6.82%;2 male cases, accounting for 33.33%;4 female cases, accounting for 66.67%;Articular type: 8 cases, accounting for 33.33%;Renal type: 2 cases, accounting for 2.27%;54 cases of mixed type, accounting for 61.36%. After glucocorticoids, the rashes disappeared, no any adverse reactions. Conclusion: Allergic purpura in children is more common in school-age children, and upper respiratory tract infection is the main predisposing factor. Skin purpura is the main clinical manifestation, often associated with lower extremity joint swelling and pain. There is no significant difference in the efficacy and course of the disease between intravenous and oral treatment. Therefore, clinicians should strictly grasp the indications of glucocorticoids to reduce the occurrence of complications.

TNF-α and IL-8 of the Patients with Allergic Asthma

The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-8 in the patients with allergic asthma during acute attack period and remission period, and the effects of glucocorticoid (GC) on them were investigated. By using ELISA, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were detected in the healthy volunteers (group C, n=40), the patients with allergic asthma (n=40) during acute attack period (group A) and remission period (group B) and those taking GC for a week (n=28). The results were compared among them. It was found that the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in group A were higher than in group B and group C. In the patients subject to GC therapy, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were decreased as compared with those in group A. In group B, the level of TNF-α was higher than in group C, but there was no significant difference in the level of IL-8 between group B and group C. It was concluded that the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-8, played important roles in the bronchus allergic inflammation. GC could reduce the levels of serum TNF-α and IL-8 to exert the anti-inflammatory effects.

Pattern of Acute Asthma Seen in Children Emergency Department of the River State University Teaching Hospital Portharcourt Nigeria

Acute exacerbations of asthma are one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and hospitalizations in children. Asthma exacerbations also demonstrate a seasonal pattern in which high rates can be seen at a particular season and knowledge of the seasonal pattern of asthma exacerbation in any locality can improve asthma management. Objective: To determine the prevalence, management outcome and seasonal pattern of emergency department visits for acute exacerbation of asthma. Methods: This was a retrospective review of the emergency department register of all asthma admissions in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Portharcourt, Nigeria over a five year period from January 2014 to December 2018. Results: A total of 205 (2.9%) asthma-related visits were recorded out of 7046 emergency room visits. The mean age of the patients was 6.1 (±4.2) yrs, with an M:F ratio of 1.97:1. The median length of hospital stay was 24 hrs. Children older than 11 yrs were more likely to be admitted for >48 hrs (OR 4.18, 95% CI;1.67, 10.39, P;0.003). Emergency department visits for asthma were more in the rainy season April-September 129 (63.9%) with a peak in May. There is a significant variation in the seasonal pattern of emergency room asthma admission with age (P = 0.018). Children >3 yrs have their highest admission rates in May while younger children experience two peaks in February and November. Conclusion: Asthma exacerbation is more in rainy season among children in Portharcourt although there is a variation in seasonal pattern of asthma exacerbation with age.

Analysis of montelukast in combined with extended care applied in children with bronchial asthma

Objective:To explore the application effect of montelukast in combined with extended care in children with bronchial asthma.Methods:A total of 80 children with bronchial asthma who were admitted in our hospital from May, 2014 to May, 2015 were included in the study and randomized into the observation group and the control group with 40 cases in each group. The patients in the two groups were given routine treatments and pidotimod granules. On this basis, the patients in the observation group were given additional montelukast and extended care after discharge. The fasting peripheral venous blood before treatment and 3 months after treatment in the two groups was collected. The immunoturbidimetry was used to detect the serum IgA, IgG, and IgM. The pulmonary function detector was used to detect FEV1, FVC, and PEF. Follow-up visits were paid to record the asthma attack times, readmission rate, re-first aid rate, and first aid times after discharge within 1 year.Results:IgA and IgG after treatment in the two groups were significantly elevated (P<0.05), while IgM had no significant change (P>0.05). The elevated degree of IgA and IgG in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). FEV1 (L), FVC (L), and PEF (L/min) after treatment in the two groups were significantly elevated when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). The elevated degree of FEV1, FVC, and PEF in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). The asthma attack times, readmission rate, re-first aid rate, and first aid times after discharge within 1 year in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusions:The routine treatment in combined with montelukast can better effectively control the symptoms in children with asthma, and improve the pulmonary function. After discharge, the extended care can be more beneficial to control the asthma attack, and enhance the living quality.

Clinical Analysis of Dispelling Wind,Eliminating Lung and Relieving Cough Combined with Western Medicine in the Treatment of Cough Variant Asthma in Children

Objective:This study mainly explores the clinical effect of dispelling wind,eliminating lung and relieving cough combined with western medicine in the treatment of cough variant asthma.Methods:80 children with cough variant asthma accepted by our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were randomly selected for the study and divided into two groups.One group was the reference group(40 cases)treated with procaterol hydrochloride tablets and montelukast sodium,and the other group was the research group(40 cases)・The method of eliminating wind,eliminating lung and relieving cough was combined with procaterol hydrochloride tablets and montelukast sodium to observe and compare the curative effects of the two groups.Results:There was no significant difference in TCM symptom score and eosinophil(EOS)count between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05);After treatment,the TCM symptom scores of coughs,pharyngeal itching,expectoration,nasal congestion and nasal itching in the research group were lower than those in the reference group,and the EOS count was lower than that in the reference group(P<0.05);The effective rate of research group was higher than that of reference group(P<0.05).Conclusions:For children with cough variant asthma,Qufeng Sufei cough relieving method combined with procaterol hydrochloride and montelukast sodium can improve children's symptoms and reduce eosinophil count.

Cross-sectional population based study examining the impact of children with asthma on US rural families

Introduction: Approximately 7.1 million US children have asthma. The burden of asthma is disproportionate with ruralUSpopulations experiencing a higher prevalence of the disease. Rural populations experience additional disparities regarding health care access, job availability, and daily living resources. Hence, the family impact of having a child with asthma may be influenced by geographic locale. This impact could be a result of health insurance tied to employment, out of pocket costs, and health care provider availability. Few studies have assessed the impact a child’s asthma has on a family. This study sought to answer the question: What is the impact of children with asthma on US rural families? Methods: Multivariate techniques were performed to examine a single year of data from two connected population-based datasets, the 2007-2008 National Survey of Children’s Health and the 2009-2010 Children with Special Health Care Needs Survey. Children with current asthma defined the study population for both datasets. A logistic regression model was performed for each database. The dependent variable for the first model was child in family currently has asthma, for the second it was rural children with current asthma. Results: The first logistic regression model confirmed that rural children were more likely to have asthma than non-rural children. The second logistic regression model yielded that rural families with a child diagnosed with asthma had greater odds of: not having health insurance, having a parent who stopped working, avoided a job change, or experienced financial problems because of the child’s health. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that rural families experience a disproportionate financial hardship as a result of their child’s asthma. Pharmacist intervention in asthma care in rural areas has the potential to decrease the financial burden for a family while also improving a child’s health.

Polymorphisms of IL-4, IL-4Rα, and AICDA Genes in Adult Allergic Asthma

The relationship between 3 polymorphisms sites [interleulin-4 (IL-4), IL-4 receptor (IL-4R)α chain and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA)] and adult allergic asthma in China was studied. By using case-control method, DNA and clinical data were obtained from allergic asthmatic patients and compared with those in the control subjects. The subjects were genotyped for the IL-4 C-589T promoter polymorphism, the IL-4Rα chain Q576R and the AICDA C8408T by poly-merase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The results showed that the IL-4 C-589T was not associated with adult allergic asthma in China. However, the IL-4Rα chain 576R/R and AICDA 8408T/T frequency was significantly increased in allergic asthma group as compared with that in the control group [odd ratio (OR) = 3. 797 and 9. 127, respectively; P<0. 01)] and was correlated with the increased plasma total IgE. These data suggested that the IL-4Rα chain 576R/R and AICDA 8408T/T genotypes confer genetic susceptibility to adult allergic asthma in China.

Primary study on correlation betweenβ_2-adrenoceptor haplotypes and asthma in children of Han nationality in Chongqing

Objective:To investigatethecorrelationbetweenβ 2 -adrenergicreceptors(β 2 -AR)haplotypesandasthmaof Hannationalitychildrenin Chongqingregion.Methods:PCRandrestrictionfragmentanalysiswereusedto study16,27lociof theβ 2 -ARpolymorphismin76unrelatedasthmaticchildrenandin100healthychildrenandadultsof Hannationali-ty as control.A statisticalanalysisof thecorrelationbetweenglycine(Gly)16allele,Gly16/glutamine(Gln)27haplotype andasthmaticclinicalstatuswas carriedout.Results:Therewas no significantincreaseof thefrequencyof Gly16and Gln27alleleintheasthmaticgroupas comparedwiththecontrolgroup(P>0.05).Therewasa significantincreaseof the frequencyof Gly16alleleandGly16/Gln27haplotypein severeasthmaticcasesthanin themildandmoderateasthmatic ones(P<0.01,0.05).Conclusion:Itis consideredthatasthmais notcausedby GlyandGlnallelesofβ 2 -ARpolymor-phisms.Gly16alleleandGly16/Gln27haplotypearepossiblycorrelatedwiththeseverityof theclinicalmanifestationsin thechildrenof HannationalityinChongqing.

The Association of PM2.5 and Surface Ozone with Asthma Prevalence among School Children in Japan: 2006-2009

Researches on asthma have found that air pollution increased asthma prevalence among sensitive age groups, including school children, and exposed them to the recognized health impacts. The aim of this study is to examine the association between elevated annual mean concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) and surface ozone and asthma prevalence among school children in Japan from 2006 to 2009. Annual rates of asthma prevalence among preschool and school children (5 to 11 years) are obtained from the database of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology—Japan (MEXT). Data on the concentrations of PM2.5 and surface ozone were obtained from 1,183 stations of air quality monitoring distributed in 47 prefectures. Annual means of these concentrations were compared to annual variations in asthma prevalence by using Pearson correlation coefficient. We found different associations between the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 and surface ozone and the annual rates of asthma prevalence among preschool and school children from 2006 to 2009. The positive values of the correlation coefficient in prefectures such as, Gumma, Shimane, and Niigata, are consistent with the previous knowledge. However, significant inverse associations were found in many prefectures. Our study suggests that the association between elevated concentrations of PM2.5 and surface ozone and asthma prevalence among school children in Japan is not strong enough to assume concretely a plausible and significant association.

Comparison of treatment guidance based on bronchial responsiveness to mannitol, spirometry or exhaled nitric oxide in stable asthmatic children

Aim: The goal of this study was to compare asthma treatment guidance based on bronchial hyper-responsiveness to mannitol, spirometry or exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in stable asthmatic children. Methods: 60 stable allergic asthmatic children aged 7 to 16 years on a low to medium dose treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were recruited to a double blind randomised controlled trial. At study entry (visit 1), the following was assessed: FeNO, spirometry, bronchial hyper-responsiveness to mannitol (MDP-?test), quality of life (paediatric asthma quality-of-life questionnaire;PAQLQ) and asthma control (asthma control test;ACT). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups and treatment was modified by a blinded respiratory physician according to the test results of visit 1: ICS dose was doubled when FeNO was >22 ppb (group 1), in case of a positive MDP-test (group 2) or when FEV1 was <80% of a predicted one (group 3), respectively, or remained unchanged for the remaining subjects. After 3 months (visit 2), the subjects were reassessed and all tests were repeated. Results: 48 children successfully completed the study. At the first visit, 8 out of 16 (50%) children in group 1 showed a FeNO > 22 ppb, 8 children out of 16 (50%) in group 2 showed a positive MDP-test and 3 children out of 16 (18.7%) in group 3 had a FEV1 < 80% of that predicted and had their ICS-dose doubled. In group 1, FeNO decreased significantly after the intervention (p = 0.005), whereas the self-administered and the interviewer-administered PAQLQ (p = 0.02 resp. p = 0.033) as well as the ACT (p = 0.031) increased. Neither the number of children with a positive mannitol challenge nor spirometric results changed significantly. In group 2 and group 3, there were no significant changes in none of the assessed parameters. Conclusion: In this small pragmatic double blind randomised controlled study, we showed that ICS dose modification based on FeNO led to increased quality of life and enhanced asthma control, and to a reduction in airway inflammation and was superior to treatment modifications based on bronchial hyper-responsiveness to mannitol or on FEV1.