Genetic susceptibility to asthma - bronchial hyperresponsiveness coinherited with a major gene for atopy

Article Abstract:

The genetic link between allergic reactions, IgE blood levels, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma may exist on the 5q chromosome. IgE is an antibody involved in allergic reactions. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is an abnormal respiratory condition characterized by spasms in the airways. Researchers analyzed the DNA, IgE blood levels, and bronchial response tests of the spouses, children, and grandchildren of 84 asthmatic patients. They classified 33.6% of the children, 35.7% of the grandchildren, but only 19.5% of the spouses of the asthmatic patients as bronchial hyperresponsive. They could trace a region of the 5q chromosome as being inherited from both parents in 35 pairs of siblings who both had bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Blood levels of IgE matched in 15 pairs of siblings. More than half of these 15 pairs of siblings had symptoms of asthma.

Genetic aspects, Bronchial spasm

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A comparison of bronchodilator therapy with or without inhaled corticosteroid therapy for obstructive airways disease

Article Abstract:

Treatment with a bronchodilator in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid may be more effective than treatment in combination with an anticholinergic-drug or with a bronchodilator alone for patients with obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among 274 patients with obstructive lung disease who were treated with a beta2-agonist bronchodilator, 91 were also given a corticosteroid drug, 92 were given an anticholinergic drug and 91 were given a placebo, or an inactive substance. Patients taking corticosteroids improved more than those taking anticholinergics or those taking a placebo. Patients treated with corticosteroids were less likely to develop pulmonary (lungs) complications than those treated with anticholinergics or a placebo.

Health aspects, Corticosteroids, Adrenocortical hormones, Lung diseases, Obstructive, Chronic obstructive lung disease, Bronchodilator agents

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Effect of inhaled formoterol and budesonide on exacerbations of asthma

Article Abstract:

The addition of a long-acting beta 2-agonist, formoterol, to inhaled glucocorticoid therapy could result in the improvement of symptoms and lung function in patients with persistent asthma. A total of 852 patients with recurrent asthma were placed in one of four treatment groups. The addition of formoterol to a group receiving low doses of the glucocorticoid budesonide, as well as a group inhaling a higher dose of the steroid, decreased the frequency of both severe and mild symptoms. The higher dose of budesonide alone also lessened the number of exacerbations, especially of severe asthmatic incidents.

Evaluation, Budesonide, Formoterol

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