Use of breath-actuated inhalers in patients with asthma and COPD - an advance in inhalational therapy: a systematic review.

Expert Rev Respir Med. 2013 Dec 10;

Authors: Salvi S, Gogtay J, Aggarwal B

Abstract
The pressurized metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers are the most widely used devices for inhalation therapy in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; each of these devices have certain advantages and disadvantages that impact their use. Motivation from the virtues of these devices led to the development of breath-actuated or breath-activated metered dose inhalers. A history of the breath-actuated inhalers, the development and technical aspects, studies about the usability, inhalation technique and patient preference, lung deposition and impact on lung function are presented in this review article. This review presents the use of breath-actuated inhalers in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in children and elderly; and a brief economic evaluation aims to put the clinical efficacy and ease-of-use of the breath-actuated inhaler into perspective by understanding the long-term cost benefits associated with this device.

PMID: 24325614 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

Comorbidities and Medication Burden in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Attending Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2013 Dec 9;

Authors: Noteboom B, Jenkins S, Maiorana A, Cecins N, Ng C, Hill K

Abstract
PURPOSE:: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by concomitant systemic manifestations and comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease. Little data exist on the prevalence of comorbidities and medication burden in people with COPD attending pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs in Australia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of comorbidities and describe the type and number of medications reported in a sample of patients with COPD referred to PR.
METHODS:: A retrospective audit was conducted on patients referred to PR over a 1-year period. Data were collected on patient demographics, disease severity, comorbidities, and medications by review of patient notes, physician referral, and self-reported medication use.
RESULTS:: Data were available on 70 patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 37.5 [26.0] % predicted). Ninety-six percent of patients had at least 1 comorbidity, and 29% had 5 or more. The most common comorbidities were associated with cardiovascular disease (64% of patients). Almost half of the sample was overweight or obese (49%). Prescription medication use was high, with 57% using between 4 and 7 medications, and 29% using 8 or more.
CONCLUSIONS:: Patients with COPD attending PR in Australia have high rates of comorbidity. The number of medications prescribed for these individuals is similar to that seen in other chronic disease states such as chronic heart failure. Pulmonary rehabilitation presents opportunities for clinicians to educate patients on self-management strategies for multiple comorbidities, review medication usage, and discuss strategies aimed at optimizing adherence with medication regimes.

PMID: 24326901 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

New life for macrolides.

Minerva Med. 2013 Dec 11;

Authors: Solidoro P, Braido F, Boffini M, Corsico AG

Abstract
This article is an attempt to analyze and discuss the role and the purported mechanisms of azithromycin (AZM) in non-eosinophilic severe asthma, including antineutrophil activity, an effect on gastroesophageal reflux or antibacterial activity against an underlying chronic infection, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae. Macrolides have an expanding role in the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases based on their additional anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Many studies have been performed in lung transplantation field and maintenance treatment has been proved to be effective in cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, diffuse panbronchiolitis, and in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and in the prevention of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pathobiological studies of people with severe, refractory asthma focused on its heterogeneity encouraging more targeted and personalized approaches to asthma therapy. In neutrophilic asthma corticosteroids are not very effective, while the immunomodulatory action of macrolides is particularly relevant on neutrophils. Recently, The AZIthromycin in Severe ASThma (AZISAST) study, published on the April number of Thorax, provided evidences on the efficacy and safety of long-term add-on treatment with AZM in severe non-eosinophilic asthma. Despite concerns about an increased proportion of macrolide-resistant organism and about the effects of macrolides on cardiovascular events, there was no evidence of an increased risk of pneumonia or other adverse events. Because the AZISAST study was not able to demonstrate significant improvement in lung function and use of rescue medication, there is still a need for new data confirming the efficacy of AZM in severe non-eosinophilic asthma.

PMID: 24327002 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

Quality of dietary intake in relation to body composition in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation.

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013 Dec 11;

Authors: van de Bool C, Mattijssen-Verdonschot C, van Melick PP, Spruit MA, Franssen FM, Wouters EF, Schols AM, Rutten EP

Abstract
Background/Objectives:A poor dietary quality may accelerate disturbances in body composition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but only limited studies have investigated dietary intake from this perspective. The objective of the current study was to investigate dietary intake in relation to low fat-free mass and abdominal obesity in COPD.Subjects/methods:Dietary intake was assessed by means of a cross-check dietary history method in 564 COPD patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation. The Dutch Food Composition Database was used to calculate nutrient intake, which was compared with the 2006 recommendations from the Dutch Health Council. Body composition was assessed by DEXA scan.Results:In general, the reported intake of macronutrients represented a typical western diet. With regard to micronutrients, vitamin D and calcium intakes were below the recommended levels in the majority of patients (>75%), whereas vitamin A, C and E intakes were below the recommended levels in over one-third of patients. Patients with inadequate vitamin D intake more frequently reported a low intake of protein (P=0.02) and micronutrients (P<0.001). Patients with a low fat-free mass index (FFMI) more often had low intake of protein, while abdominally obese patients more often had low intake of protein and most micronutrients (P<0.05). Patients with both low FFMI and abdominal obesity appeared most often to be consuming a poor-quality diet.Conclusions:Our data indicate that dietary quality is low in COPD patients referred for pulmonary rehabilitation and differs between patients with different body composition profiles.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 11 December 2013; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2013.257.

PMID: 24327123 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]