In this Issue July 2003

National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium

Satellite Broadcast - View from your Computer

Asthma Challenge - is asthma holding you back?

Conference Diary 2003/4

Virtual Convenience

The National Asthma Council broke new ground earlier this month with the interactive virtual roadshow “Children, Asthma and the Real World”. Many of our web site visitors who perhaps were unable to view the live performance on the night, or simply wanted to review the excellent presentations have already taken advantage of the roadshow’s continuing availability (still with CPD points available).

The virtual roadshow included a Q & A session that ran for the three nights following the initial screening on July 1st. The topics covered a variety of paediatric asthma issues such as

Is it asthma?
Is a preventer needed?
Which preventer best suits the child?
How to achieve improved adherence to treatment?
What is the role of LTRAs?

Dr Ron Tomlins, Chair of the National Asthma Council, introduced the roadshow panellists

Dr Kerry Hancock, General Practitioner, South Australia,
Associate Professor Colin Robertson, Paediatric Respiratory Physician at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and
Professor David Price, Professor of Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Those who logged in to the roadshow had the opportunity to put questions to the panel at the time and for a further three days. Answers to two of the numerous questions posed are shown here.

Do all children with asthma need a written asthma action plan?

Yes they do. Parents of all children with asthma should know how to recognise worsening asthma and what to do about it and when to seek medical attention. There is evidence that Asthma Action Plans reduce mortality and morbidity. It is important that all carers (eg both parents, grandparents, etc) are aware of the Action Plan.

What proportion of children do not respond to LTRAs (leukotriene receptor antagonists) and is there a way to predict which ones?

As with all asthma therapy, including inhaled steroids, response to therapy follows a normal distribution with a small proportion showing little benefit of about one third. The only true way of assessing response is to try the treatment! No predictors of response or no response exist. However, some patients - particularly those with frequent episodic asthma and mild persistent asthma - may be more likely to do well with montelukast. These include those with exercise or activity symptoms. Some early evidence also suggests those with rhinitis may also get a greater benefit.

For access to the roadshow, the slides and Q & A's just follow the link from the NAC home page.

Remember, you are still be eligible for 2 CPD points if you view the archived version of the show and complete the online evaluation form.

Healthcare Professional Vigilance

At a recent asthma evening with excellent discussion about asthma and lung function testing in general practice, a healthcare professional with asthma, mentioned their lack of ownership of a written Asthma Action Plan. The person when suffering a cold, developed worsening asthma but continued with their day-to-day activity regardless.

Fortunately, the outcome was good in this situation, despite a lengthy recovery period. The latest statistics available show 422 deaths from asthma in 2001. Unfortunately many of these deaths involved people who were not considered to have severe asthma.

The conversation continued about the ability for a person with asthma, or a carer, to readily assess and take action for deteriorating asthma without clear written plans to follow. Within the group’s experience, a mother was coping with four children, all with asthma. For this family, a written Asthma Action Plan for each child is essential to provide details of routine maintenance therapy, how to recognise and manage an acute episode or deterioration in asthma, and clear guidelines on when to seek medical help.

In a winter season when influenza appears to be not so much of a problem to date, simple colds can still be troublesome. A written Asthma Action Plan is a must.

Useful Resources

Asthma Management Handbook - Written Asthma Action Plans (Adult)

Asthma Management Handbook - Written Asthma Action Plans (Children)

National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium - Reminder

The AEA (N.S.W.) and the ACT Asthma Educators Group are organising the National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium that will be held in Canberra on the 7th and 8th of August, 2003. The venue is University House at the Australian National University.

The symposium will be of particular interest to health professionals working in the fields of asthma and respiratory education. Speakers include:

Dr Christine Jenkins,
Dr Sandy Anderson,
Ms Sue Jenkins,
Ms Adrienne James, and
Ms Janice McKay.

Of note, the Australian Asthma and Respiratory Educators Alliance will have its inaugural meeting.

The cost of attending the symposium is $250.00

Contact Ken Langbridge on (02) 4320 3410 for more information.

Satellite Broadcast - View from your Computer

The satellite broadcast, One year on: The Asthma 3+ Visit Plan, aired last month. For health professionals unable to see the program at the time, it is now available for viewing from the comfort of your own computer.

With Dr Norman Swan, presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National, in the chair and panellists including:

Dr Amanda Barnard, General Practitioner, Claremont, WA
Dr Simon Bowler, Respiratory Physician, Mater Medical Centre, South Brisbane, QLD
Mr Stephen Hughes, Community Pharmacist, Rouse Hill, NSW

the program provided plenty of practical information on asthma diagnosis, assessment of severity and management of asthma. The case study presentation of the Asthma 3+Visit Plan highlighted important issues such as the use of spirometry in asthma diagnosis and monitoring the back titration of inhaled steroids.

The panel also covered some solid approaches to

Explaining the correct use of appropriate devices,
Increasing health professionals’ understanding of how to complete a written Asthma Action Plan,
Implementing the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan, and importantly,
The role pharmacists play in the Asthma 3+ Visit Plan.

Check out the program (and the system requirements) at

Rural Health Satellite Network

Asthma Challenge - is asthma holding you back?

The Puff Campaign raises the important question of whether or not asthma is limiting someone's life activities. Sometimes it is difficult to objectively judge how much better life may be if asthma control was improved.

Often described as the sentinel symptom of asthma, night-time awakening is the subject of the first question in the Asthma Challenge.

Whether your asthma is well controlled or your asthma management needs some fine-tuning, it is recommended that people with asthma see their GP for regular assessments that include breathing tests, reviews of medication and written Asthma Action Plans.

If you would like to take the Asthma Challenge or refer someone else please go to

Asthma Challenge (http://www.asthma.org.au/challenge/)

Conference Diary 2003/4

Submit brief conference/meeting details to the National Asthma Council for possible posting in our Conference Diary by email to nac@NationalAsthma.org.au.

National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium 7 and 8 August 2003 University House' Australian National University Incorporating inaugural meeting of the Australian Asthma and Respiratory Educators Alliance. For more information contact Ken Langbridge: (02) 4320 3410 National Asthma and Respiratory Educators Symposium
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy (ASCIA) 14th Annual Scientific Meeting Sheraton Towers Southgate & Sebel Lodge Hotel Yarra Valley, Melbourne, Australia October 10 - 13 2003 ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting
IPCRG 2nd World Conference Respiratory Disease in Primary Care 'The Way Forward' 19 - 22 February 2004 Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Australia IPCRG Melbourne 2004
The 2004 Australian Asthma Conference ‘A fresh breath – looking to the future’ 22 - 25 February 2004 Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Australia. Asthma Conference 2004