Asthma

Basic asthma care comes down to ‘postcode lottery’ Asthma UK survey finds

Just 35% of people with asthma are receiving the most basic level of asthma care, according to the fifth annual asthma survey from charity Asthma UK.…

Fructose increases risk of childhood asthma, independent of obesity

A study of 1,068 mother-child pairs has shown that high fructose intake increases risk of mid-childhood asthma…

Over-55s should have more regular asthma checkups

Patients with asthma aged over 55 are more likely to experience symptom ‘flare-ups’ and need more regular check-ups than younger asthmatics, according to research presented at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting…

Asthma care can be improved through new ways to diagnose and manage the condition, NICE says

New ways to diagnose and manage asthma can improve care, according to new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence…

Vitamin D reduces risk of hospitalisation for asthma attacks

Taking oral vitamin D supplements as well as standard asthma medication halves the rate of asthma attacks requiring hospital attendance, and cuts the likelihood an asthma attack will require treatment with systemic steroids by almost a third.…

Steroid inhalers linked to increased risk of mycobacterial infection

Use of steroid inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases the risk of mycobacterial infections, according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal.…

Children with asthma more likely to be prescribed antibiotics, conference told

Children with asthma are 1.6 times more likely to be prescribed antibiotics than children without the condition, according to the results of a UK and Netherlands study.…

Fewer children hospitalised with asthma following smoking bans

Smoking bans have reduced the number of children attending hospital with severe asthma exacerbations and respiratory tract infections, a study in Lancet Public Health shows.…

Salbutamol linked to decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease

Research has found that the asthma drug salbutamol is associated with a reduction in the risk of Parkinson’s disease.…

Use pharmacy to help manage NHS winter pressures, PSNC urges

Community pharmacy is well positioned to help keep hospital admission and readmission rates down and ease the burden on acute care services.…