Biomedical subjects

Teal S Hallstrand

Publications and source records attributed to Teal S Hallstrand.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Quality of life in adolescents with mild asthma.

The majority of individuals with asthma have mild disease, often in conjunction with allergic rhinitis and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Although health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) is reduced in moderate to severe asthma and allergic rhinitis, little is known about the effect of mild asthma, mild allergic rhinitis, and EIB on HRQoL outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mild asthma, allergic rhinitis, and EIB on HRQoL. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 160 adolescent athletes participating in a screening program to detect EIB. Generic HRQoL was assessed with the teen version of the pediatric quality-of-life inventory (PedsQL). Prior diagnoses of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and EIB, and current symptoms of dyspnea during exercise and asthma, were recorded. Lung function and the presence of EIB were determined by spirometry before and after an exercise challenge test. Adolescent athletes with a prior physician diagnosis of asthma had a lower HRQoL scale summary score (P<0.01) and lower physical functioning, emotional functioning, and school functioning domain scores (P values, 0.01-0.02) in comparison to adolescent athletes with no prior diagnosis of these disorders. Athletes with a prior diagnosis of asthma reported dyspnea during exercise more frequently than did those without asthma (P<0.001). Adolescent athletes with dyspnea during exercise had a lower scale summary score, and lower physical functioning, general well-being, and emotional functioning domain scores (P values, 0.02-0.03). These data show that mild asthma and dyspnea without asthma significantly affect HRQoL. Symptoms of dyspnea during exercise are common in asthma and are associated with lower HRQoL. The clinical significance of these differences in HRQoL is unclear.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Leukotriene modifiers.

Leukotrienes (LTs) are 5-lipoxygenase products formed from arachidonic acid metabolism. There is compelling evidence that LTs play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. LTs affect vascular permeability, mucus production, and smooth muscle constriction, and may contribute to airway remodeling. In mild-to-moderate asthma, LT modifiers improve measures of airflow limitation and quality of life and reduce the frequency of asthma exacerbations and the need for short-acting bronchodilator therapy. In moderate-to-severe asthma, an LT modifier in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid results in improvements in lung function and asthma control over that achieved with an inhaled corticosteroid alone. LT modifiers are effective in the treatment of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and aspirin-induced asthma. There are few adverse effects of LT modifiers.

Asthma↗

PubMed2002

Effectiveness of screening examinations to detect unrecognized exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a physician-administered physical examination and screening questionnaire accurately detects exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in adolescent athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 256 adolescents participating in organized sports from 3 suburban high schools. The number of persons screened positive for EIB by physical examination and questionnaire was compared with the number of persons with EIB diagnosed by a "gold standard" test that consisted of a 7-minute exercise challenge followed by serial spirometry. RESULTS: We diagnosed EIB in 9.4% of adolescent athletes. The screening history identified persons with symptoms or a previous diagnosis suggestive of EIB in 39.5% of the participants, but only 12.9% of these persons actually had EIB. Among adolescents with a negative review of symptoms of asthma or EIB, 7.8% had EIB. Among adolescents with no previous diagnosis of asthma, allergic rhinitis, or EIB, 7.2% had EIB diagnosed by exercise challenge. Persons who screened negative on all questions about symptoms or history of asthma, EIB, and allergic rhinitis accounted for 45.8% of the adolescents with EIB. CONCLUSIONS: EIB occurs frequently in adolescent athletes, and screening by physical examination and medical history does not accurately detect it.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Practical management of acute asthma in adults.

All asthma patients are at risk for acute asthma exacerbations. Moderate to severe exacerbations account for many emergency department visits and subsequent hospitalizations each year. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of acute asthma. The purpose of this review is to provide practical guidance in the assessment and treatment of adults with acute asthma in the hospital setting. Managing patients with acute asthma involves assessing the severity of the exacerbation, implementing measures to rapidly reverse airflow limitation, and instituting therapies that limit the progression of airway inflammation. Some patients may benefit from other supportive measures such as heliox and noninvasive ventilation. If the patient continues to deteriorate and requires mechanical ventilation, then ventilator settings that minimize the risk of hyperinflation should be chosen. After an episode of acute asthma, long-term preventive medications, especially inhaled corticosteroids, should be prescribed and education should be provided to prevent future episodes.

Acute Disease↗