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Asthma epidemics associated with thunderstorms have had catastrophic effects on individuals and emergency services. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is present in the vast majority of people who develop thunderstorm asthma (TA), but there is little evidence regarding risk factors for TA among the SAR population. We sought to identify risk factors for a history of TA and hospital presentation in a cohort of individuals with SAR. This multicenter study recruited adults from Melbourne, Australia, with a past diagnosis of TA and/or self-reported SAR. Clinical information, spirometry results, white blood cell count, ryegrass pollen–specific (RGP-sp) IgE concentration, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide were measured to identify risk factors for a history of TA in individuals with SAR. From a total of 228 individuals with SAR, 35% (80 of 228) reported SAR only (the I-SAR group), 37% (84 of 228) reported TA symptoms but had not attended hospital for treatment (the O-TA group), and 28% (64 of 228) had presented to the hospital for TA (the H-TA group). All patients in the H-TA group reported a previous asthma diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis of factors associated with O-TA and H-TA indicated that lower FEV 1 value and an Asthma Control Questionnaire score higher than 1.5 were associated with H-TA. Higher blood RGP-sp IgE concentration, eosinophil counts, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide level were significantly associated with both O-TA and H-TA. Receiver operating curve analysis showed an RGP-sp IgE concentration higher than 10.1 kU/L and a prebronchodilator FEV 1 value of 90% or lower to be biomarkers of increased H-TA risk. Clinical tests can identify risk of a history of TA in individuals with SAR and thereby inform patient-specific treatment recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rising rates of food-induced anaphylaxis have recently been shown in the adolescent age group, following earlier descriptions of a rise in children younger than 5 years. However, few population-based studies have examined the prevalence of food allergy in adolescence using objective measures such as oral food challenge (OFC). Objective: We sought to determine the prevalence of food allergy among a population-based sample of 10- to 14-year-old adolescents using clinical evaluation including OFC to confirm the diagnosis. Methods: Schools were randomly selected from greater metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Students aged 10 to 14 years, and their parents, were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the adolescent's food allergy or food-related reactions. Clinic evaluation, which consisted of skin prick tests and OFC where eligible, was undertaken if students were suspected to have current food allergy from parent response. Among 9816 students assessed, 5016 had complete parent response and clinic evaluation when eligible. An additional 4800 students had student questionnaires only. Results: The prevalence of clinic-defined current food allergy based on history, sensitization data, and OFC results was 4.5% (95% CI, 3.9-5.1), with the most common food triggers being peanut, 2.7% (95% CI, 2.3-3.2), and tree nut, 2.3% (95% CI, 1.9-2.8). Among the additional group of 4800 adolescents who had only self-reported food allergy status available, the prevalence of self-reported current food allergy was 5.5% (95% CI, 4.9-6.2), with peanut, 2.8% (95% CI, 2.3-3.3), and tree nut, 2.3% (95% CI, 1.9-2.8), the most common. Conclusions: Approximately 1 in 20 10- to 14-year-old school students inMelbourne has current food allergy. This high prevalence suggests that the previously reported rise in food-induced anaphylaxis in this age groupmay reflect an increasing prevalence of food allergy rather than simply increased reporting of anaphylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exacerbations of asthma are thought to be caused by airflow obstruction resulting from airway inflammation, bronchospasm, and mucus plugging. Histologic evidence suggests the small airways, including acinar air spaces, are involved; however, this has not been corroborated in vivo by measurements of peripheral small-airway function. Objective: We sought to determine whether asthma severity is linked to small-airway function, particularly in patients with acute severe asthma. Methods: Eighteen subjects admitted for an asthma exacerbation underwent lung function testing, including measures of acinar ventilation heterogeneity (Sacin) and conductive ventilation heterogeneity (Scond) using the multiple-breath nitrogen washout. Treatment requirement was defined according to Global Initiative for Asthma scores. Data were compared with those obtained in 19 patients with stable asthma. Results: For the asthma exacerbation group, the median FEV1 was 59% of predicted value (95% CI, 45% to 75% of predicted value), the median Scond value was 185% of predicted value (95% CI, 119% to 245% of predicted value), and the median Sacin value was 225% of predicted value (95% CI, 143% to 392% of predicted value). FEV1 (percent predicted) was correlated with Sacin (percent predicted) values (Spearman rho = −0.67, P = .006) but not with Scond (percent predicted) values (P > .1). The Global Initiative for Asthma score was significantly related to Sacin (percent predicted) (Spearman rho = 0.59, P = .016) but not to Scond (percent predicted) values (P > .1). The unstable group was characterized by considerably lower forced vital capacity (P < .001) and higher Scond (P = .001) values than the unstable group. In a subgroup of 11 unstable patients who could be reviewed after 4 weeks, FEV1, forced vital capacity, Sacin, and Scond values showed marked improvements. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that unstable asthma is characterized by a combined abnormality in the acinar and conductive lung zones, both of which are partly reversible. Functional abnormality in the acinar lung zone in particular showed a direct correlation with airflow obstruction and treatment requirement in patients with acute severe asthma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Tools which assist practitioners to identify patient concerns and increase understanding of their needs can improve both the delivery of care and adherence to treatment. The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of a 14-item tool, to identify the unmet needs and concerns of older people with asthma. Methods: The Patient Asthma Concerns Tool (PACT) was developed from a pool of 55 items derived from a comprehensive literature review. After pilot and field testing, the initial 55 item questionnaire was administered to a community sample (n = 193), psychometrically tested, and refined to a 14 item PACT tool which was evaluated by a group of clinicians. Results: The PACT was shown to have good content and construct validity and was well received by clinicians. The PACT also correlated well with the Juniper ACQ and Brooks'' adherence score on related variables and showed good reliability with good–excellent Kappa and ICC scores. Internal consistency of factors was high, and the overall Cronbach''s α was 0.70. Conclusion: The PACT questionnaire was shown to be a valid and reliable tool clinically and psychometrically. We intend to test it in primary care settings and anticipate that its use will assist health professionals to identify the needs and concerns of older patients with asthma and direct tailored asthma management accordingly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Purchase of short-acting β2-agonist (SABA), but not anti-inflammatory asthma medication, is permitted in Australia without a doctor’s prescription. This has been associated with worse asthma outcomes. We sought to compare the asthma outcomes between those purchasing SABA with and without a doctor’s prescription. Methods: Design: Cross-sectional study, using stratified randomisation of pharmacies. Setting: 43 pharmacies in Victoria, Australia. Participants: Up to 10 consecutive adults purchasing β2-agonists were recruited from each pharmacy, with 316 adults in total. Outcome measures: Participants underwent spirometry and questionnaires on respiratory health, asthma control, Quality of Life and medication adherence. Asthma severity was determined by GINA medication step. Regression analyses were performed that allowed for clustering by pharmacy. Results: Of 316 individuals recruited (65% participation rate), 191 (60%) purchased a β2-agonist with a prescription. Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes or lung function. Mean (±SD) asthma control score (ACQ) was 1.65 ± 1.03; only 63 (20%) had well-controlled asthma (ACQ < 0.75). Anti-inflammatory asthma medication was owned by 188 (60%) of participants, of whom 157 (83%) reported using this in the last 7 days. There was no correlation between medication adherence scores and asthma control. Forty-seven participants (15%) had an FEV1 below 80% predicted and did not own an anti-inflammatory asthma medication. Conclusion: Purchase of SABA without prescription was not associated with worse asthma outcomes in Australia. Although many patients reported symptoms of asthma, this did not appear to be associated with reported adherence to anti-inflammatory asthma medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cytokines play a central role in development and progression of chronic respiratory diseases. TGF-β overexpression in chronic inflammation, remodeling, fibrotic process and susceptibility to viral infection is established in the most prevalent chronic respiratory diseases including asthma, COPD, lung cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Despite the overwhelming burden of respiratory diseases in the world, new pharmacological therapies have been limited in impact. Although TGF-β inhibition as a therapeutic strategy carries great expectations, the constraints in avoiding compromising the beneficial pleiotropic effects of TGF-β, including the anti-proliferative and immune suppressive effects, have limited the development of effective pharmacological modulators. In this review, we focus on the pathways subserving deleterious and beneficial TGF-β effects to identify strategies for selective modulation of more distal signaling pathways that may result in agents with improved safety/efficacy profiles. Adverse effects of TGF-β inhibitors in respiratory clinical trials are comprehensively reviewed, including those of the marketed TGF-β modulators, pirfenidone and nintedanib. Precise modulation of TGF-β signaling may result in new safer therapies for chronic respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To improve the asthma control and adherence to asthma preventer medication of older people using the Patient Asthma Concerns Tool (PACT) to identify and address unmet needs and patient concerns. Methods: Community dwelling adults over 55 years, living in Victoria or New South Wales were recruited into a single-blind, parallel design, randomised-controlled trial comparing person-centred education including device technique, versus written information-only education. Fifty-eight participants randomised to the intervention group and 56 to the control completed participation. Outcome measures: asthma control, adherence to preventer medication, asthma related quality of life, asthma exacerbations and written action plan ownership were assessed at baseline, and 3 and 12 months post intervention. Results: Intervention participants experienced improvements in asthma control, adherence to asthma preventer medication, reduced exacerbations, improved quality of life and an increase in asthma action plan ownership at 3 and 12 months. Conclusion: Asthma outcomes in older people can be significantly improved by delivering tailored education that identifies specific patient concerns and unmet needs. Practical implications: Use of the PACT to identify patient concerns and unmet needs will assist health professionals to improve the health literacy of patients by addressing gaps in their knowledge and perceptions of asthma control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Recent Australian and international legislation requires labeling of wines made by using the potentially allergenic food proteins casein, milk, egg white, or isinglass (fish-derived) where “there is a detectable residual processing aid.” We investigated whether wines fined using these proteins or non–grape-derived tannins (tree-nut derived) can provoke significant clinical allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in patients with confirmed immunoglobulin E–mediated relevant food allergy. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to determine whether allergic reactions followed consumption of Australian commercial wines fined using one or more of the legislation-targeted food proteins. In addition, allergenicity of a larger panel of these wines was evaluated by blood basophil activation. Results: No anaphylaxis was induced by wine consumption. Three mild clinical reactions to protein-fined wine and two mild reactions to unfined wine occurred, but there was no statistically significant difference in reaction parameters between subject groups or between processing aids. No pattern of basophil activation correlated with wine type, processing aid, or subject group. Conclusion: Wines fined with egg white, isinglass, or non–grape-derived tannins present an extremely low risk of anaphylaxis to fish-, egg-, or peanut-allergic consumers. Although consumption of milk protein-fined wine did not induce anaphylaxis, there were insufficient subjects to determine statistically whether wines fined with milk proteins present a risk to the very rare milk-allergic consumers. In summary, the observed lack of anaphylaxis and basophil activation induced by wines made using the legislation-targeted food proteins according to good manufacturing practice suggests negligible residual food allergens in these wines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]