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Different phenotypes of asthma from mild to severe are categorized based on diverse clinical features. A guideline for the recognition and treatment of asthma has been provided by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). To control symptoms and prevent asthma exacerbation in most patients combinational therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and a long acting B2-adrenreceptor agonist (LABA) are recommended. Understanding asthma phenotypes would be helpful to improve asthma diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to verify glucocorticoid receptor glcococorticoid receptor (GR) nuclear translocation in CD4 T cells treated with fluticasone furoate (FF), vilanterol (V) and FF/V combination in severe asthmatic patients compare to patients with moderate asthma and healthy controls using Immunocytochemistry (ICC). After taking blood and separating PBMCs from each subject, CD4 T cells were isolated from PBMCs using CD4+ T cell isolation kit. Isolated CD4 T cells were cultured in presence of FF, V and FF/V combination for 1 hour and after cytocentrifugation, cells were incubated with anti GR-antibody and subsequently stained with FITC bound secondary antibody and GR nuclear translocation was observed under microscope. The results showed significant increasing in GR nuclear translocation in treated CD4 T cells from patients with moderate asthma and controls compare to those severe asthmatic patients, along with treating cells with FF/V combination no significant GR nuclear translocation was observed compare to that of using mono treatment of cells with FF and V. Based on our findings, it can be concluded different mechanisms are responsible for severe asthma and moderate asthma.

Objective: Asthma as the most common chronic disease in childhood reduces the quality of life of children and their families. We aimed to estimate the cost of managing childhood asthma in Iran and to examine its variability depending on asthma severity. Methods: The cost of asthma was estimated by building a cost assessment model regarding the factors that influence the cost of asthma in children including age and sex distribution, prevalence of disease severity, level of resource utilization depending on disease severity (3 groups of controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled were defined). The model was comprised of both medical (cost of medication, physician visit and respiratory tests) and non-medical (transportation and hoteling) costs. Furthermore, the average family income in each category was figured and the share of asthma managing costs from the average income was calculated in different groups. Findings: According to model, the total cost of childhood asthma in Iran was around 516.5 million dollars. Moreover, direct medical cost represented 49% of the total costs, among which 66% accounting for medication cost. Direct non-medical costs were estimated 51% with the majority (93%) expended on transportation. In addition, the mean annual cost per child was approximately 466 dollars. In addition, the results indicate the vast majority of patients (46%) are categorized in the uncontrolled group. Conclusion: The cost of childhood asthma in Iran is extremely high comparing to the average income of Iranian families in all categories of asthma severity. Considering the high amount of transportation cost, the accessibility of asthma treatment does not appear to be acceptable. The major source of costs is found to be related to medicine expenditure. Since it has been proven that using medicine does not necessarily result in a well-controlled disease status, alternative approaches should be considered in asthma management.