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Copyright of Polish Journal of Allergology / Alergologia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Allergology / Alergologia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Allergology / Alergologia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Allergology / Alergologia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. Clinical and epidemiological reports indicate the occurrence of symptoms in the oral cavity in children with asthma. Aim. To estimate the prevalence of oral cavity symptoms in children with asthma and to determine the causal relationship between their occurrence and duration of illness, use of drugs and the age of the child in whom the disease was diagnosed and treatment started. Material and Methods. The study included 64 asthmatics aged from 8 to 16. The control group consisted of 64 healthy children. The subjects were asked about the presence of: xerostoma, tooth sensitivity, spontaneous and/or provoked bleeding from the gums, halitosis and inflammation or injury of oral mucosa. An assessment of significance of the relationship between the prevalence of symptoms in the oral cavity and: duration of illness and treatment, the age of the child at which the disease was diagnosed and treatment started. Results. Statistical analysis showed highly significant differences in the prevalence of xerostoma and halitosis between the patients and the controls. A statistically significant correlation has been found to occur between: time of beginning and duration of treatment and the prevalence of oral dryness and tooth hypersensitivity to thermal stimuli, the duration of the disease and duration of use of asthma medications and the incidence of gingival bleeding. Conclusions. Asthmatics significantly more frequently than their healthy peers report oral cavity symptoms, the occurrence of which may be linked to duration of illness and the use of drugs and/or the age at which the asthma or its treatment had started. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a common disease and its incidence increases around the world, in both developed and developing countries. There are, however, effective medicines, limiting the possibility of the development of exacerbations. The most important drugs are inhaled glucocorticosteroids, preferably used in combination therapy with LABA and also in the form of combination preparations. Another group of drugs - antileucotrienes confirmed the validity of their use in combination therapy with inhaled glucocorticosteroids. Shall also apply biologic drugs. In the process of pharmacotherapy an important role also plays education of a patient and monitoring of environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most potent anti-inflammatory agents, widely used in the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases, including bronchial asthma. The phenomenon of steroid resistance, although relatively rare, is connected with serious burden for the patient, as well as with therapeutic problems. So far there are only few available alternative treatment strategies. Early identification of patients insensitive to GC therapy is not possible either. Analysis of molecular basis of glucocorticoid action enables the recognition of those processes that might interfere with anti-inflammatory steroid effect. This paper describes the known molecular mechanism of steroid resistance in asthmatic patients, with particular emphasis on its multifactorial background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Severe and difficult-to-treat asthma is associated with significant morbidity, lower quality of life and higher health cost for the society. Better understanding of severe/difficult-to-treat asthma phenotype, may help to improve asthma care. Aim of the study. We aimed to distinguish and characterize patients with severe/difficult-to-treat (S/D) bronchial asthma. Material and methods. The study included 210 patients with asthma from one asthma clinic. Following 12 months of observation 109 patients with severe/difficult-to-treat (S/D) asthma defined according to the ATS Workshop 2000 and 101 patients with non-severe (ns mild to moderate) form of the disease were distinguished. After one year of follow up and verification of the diagnosis all patients were skin prick tested and spirometry after nebulization of 2,5 mg of salbutamol was performed. Results. Patients with S/D asthma were significantly older, were more obese and had higher prevalence of hypersensitivity to aspirin. Female gender, obesity, history of aspirin hypersensitivity and history of childhood wheezing were significant risk factors for S/D asthma. The prevalence of atopy was high and similar in both groups (72% and 80% in S/D and nS group respectively). Baseline respiratory function (particularly MEF 25-50%) were significantly lower in patients with S/D asthma, and the degree of reversibility after nebulization of salbutamol was significantly higher in this group. Conclusions. The study documented distinct demographic, clinical and functional characteristics of patients with severe/difficult-to-treat asthma, which may have implications for phenotype specific management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-blockers have been for years considered contraindicated in asthmatic patients. However, the beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases, including reduction of mortality due to heart problems, make beta-blockers highly desired in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease or congestive heart failure. Most studies demonstrate that cardioselective beta-blockers, such as metoprolol or bisoprolol, may be considered for treatment of cardiovascular problems in mild-moderate asthmatic patients, whose asthma is fully controlled. It is recommended to start therapy with low doses, which are gradually increased. Moreover, in order to minimize the risk of bronchoconstriction pre-treatment with an inhaled long-acting beta-agonist should be considered before starting beta-blocker therapy. In an experimental asthma model, chronic administration of beta-blockers decreased airway hyperresponsiveness. Recent studies have demonstrated that chronic beta-blocker therapy is also beneficial in asthmatic patients, and leads to decreased bronchial reactivity to metacholine. Interestingly, in this case non-selective beta-blockers, such as nadolol, are more effective than cardioselective ones. This approach, however, remains an experimental procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asthma and Allergy Patients Support Organization was established in 1993. The main goal of the society is to provide allergic and asthmatic patients with all possible help and assistance and to improve their quality of life. The society carries out very intensive educational activity for patients and their families. Another area of the society's activity is contribution to spreading modern knowledge about allergy among doctors, nurses and other health professionals, as well as in schools. For example, free educational meetings, the so-called 'Allergology Picnics', were regularly organized (1994-2003) by the society's active members. Every year, from 1994 to 2003, we organized summer and winter holidays for children with allergy and asthma. As a result of cooperation with local swimming pool and Shotokan karate club, the training and rehabilitation groups were created, with special training program adapted to children's capabilities. Currently, our main preventive actions include the analysis of pollen count in the atmosphere of Lodz during the vegetation seasons and the organisation of information system, freely accessible for our members and physicians working with allergic patients. The members of the society may also make use of permanent psychological service which is carried out from 2010. Recently we have also started cooperation with the ECARF (European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The results of recent metaanalyses showed the effectiveness of SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy) in allergic rhinitis and asthma in children allergic to grass pollen. However, in some meta-analyses high variability of the results of these trials weaken the power of conclusion. In the present study we used the highest dose of extract (of the ones registered in Poland). Aim of the study. To study the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy given pre-coseasonally (starting before the pollen season and continuing until the end of it) and its effect on inflammatory parameters in children with rhinitis allergic to grass pollen. Materials and methods. Thirty children, recruited from our outpatient allergy clinic, with rhinitis, sensitive to grass pollen, participated in the 2-year prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All patients were randomized according to a computer-generated allocation schedule into the two treatment arms: the pre-coseasonal SLIT group (n= 15) (Staloral 300 IR, Stallergenes), and the placebo group (n=15). We analyzed the effect of SLIT on allergic rhinitis and ocular symptoms, the use of rescue medication, lung function, FENO and bronchial hyper-reactivity. Results. In the second year of immunotherapy we observed the reduction of nasal and ocular symptoms, significant decrease in the use of rescue medication and FeNO level as compared to the placebo group and to the first year of immunotherapy. We did not observe any significant changes in the lung function and bronchial hyper-reactivity after immunotherapy. Conclusions. The applied regimen of SLIT was effective and safe in children with rhinitis allergic to grass pollen. The results suggest that the measurement of FENO level is clinically useful in monitoring SLIT in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalatory β2-mimetics are one of the most potent drugs used in obturative lung diseases. At first they were administered by nebulisators, than by Meterd Dose Inhalers -- MDI, currently they are delivered in form of dry powder by Dry Powder Inhalers --DPI. Formoterol is β2-mimetic drug which pharmacological properties seem to be unique. It is active in respiratory tract within minutes and is effective over 12 hours. International guidelines of asthma treatment -- GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) recommend formoterol administration. Oxodil® by Polpharma S.A. is one of the formoterol drugs that are available on Polish pharmaceutical market. Inhalation of Oxodil drug promotes formation of particles which diameter amounts circa 3,5 µm, which deposition in intermediate and small bronchi is very high. The characteristic inhaler -- Aeroliser can be easily used by patients and relatively low respiratory effort is sufficient to proper air flow. In comparison to other inhalers e.g. Discus or HandiHaler, Aeroliser usage is associated with lower number of cases of insufficient drug delivery and deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical exercise belongs to the most common factors causing asthma exacerbations. Presence of postexercise bronchoconstriction, especially among patients without proper anti-inflammatory treatment, may exacerbate asthma inflammation. Recently, a few publications have appeared which show that the combination of proper pharmacological treatment with physical exercise program may have positive influence on asthma, decrease airway inflammation and remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of severe or chronic disease in children induces high level anxiety in their parents, occurring also in relation with asthma diagnosis. For this reason and because of difficulties in asthma diagnosis and variability of clinical manifestation, asthma diagnosis is often delayed. Parents should be informed when the disease is suspected so that they better understand the diagnostic procedures. Not only the time, but also the way and extent of knowledge are important. Medical information should be comprehensive to avoid the situation when patients look for knowledge about disease, prognosis and treatment in the less reliable sources. In this paper the principles of asthma diagnosis are presented, including younger children and the usefulness of asthma predictive index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the exhibit, "Wystawy Zapierającej Dech w Piersiach, czyli Historii leczenia astmy" ("An Exhibit That Will Leave You Breathless--The History of Asthma-treatment") held at the Antonina Leśniewska Museum of Pharmacy in Warsaw, Poland. Noted is the staging of the exhibit and the asthma-related topics and presentations made during its opening conference. Noted were presentations of Wacław Droszcz, Tomasz Wędrychowski, and Bolesław Samolińsi--all on asthma treatments utilized in Poland and abroad from the 19th century forward.