March 2007

Management of asthma and bronchitis in the elderly - we can do better

Asthma medications wall chart - 2007 update

Sorting out asthma and allergic rhinitis

Lung Health Resources for 2007

Defining the person with asthma

Research Funding Opportunities 

    Effective Asthma Research

Conference Diary 2007

Management of asthma and bronchitis in the elderly - we can do better

The National Asthma Council Australia is calling for better management of all asthma and bronchitis in the elderly, following the recent release of the latest asthma death statistics by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In 2005, asthma killed 318 Australians – seven more than the number of deaths recorded in the previous year.

People aged 70 plus accounted for 191 of the deaths recorded, while those aged 40 to 60 years accounted for 95 deaths.

Death rates amongst younger groups remained relatively stable, indicating that the asthma management messages are hitting the mark with parents, teachers and carers.

In all, 210 females and 108 males died from asthma in 2005.

According to National Asthma Council Chairman, Professor John Wilson, the latest asthma death toll is unacceptable.

Over two million Australians have asthma – one of the highest rates in the world.

Asthma deaths in Australia have dropped dramatically from a peak of 964 in 1989 to the latest toll of 318 in 2005.

Asthma cannot be cured - but it can be prevented.

References

Charts Asthma deaths for 2005

Asthma deaths table 1997-2005

Asthma medications wall chart - 2007 update

The National Asthma Council Australia has released an updated version of the popular ‘Managing Your Asthma’ wall chart, which is designed to help health professionals discuss asthma medications with patients.

The new wall chart features up-to-date colour photographs of 43 different asthma medications available in Australia today.

Each product is shown next to its current packaging for at-a-glance recognition and is grouped according to its classification. Relievers, non-steroidal preventers, corticosteroid preventers, symptom controllers and combination medications, as well as inhalers used in COPD, are all highlighted.

The original version of the chart was produced by the Townsville Division of General Practice which has collaborated with the National Asthma Council in the subsequent versions. In 2005 and again in 2006, an unrestricted educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme has enabled the National Asthma Council to update and reissue the Chart, making it available nationally to health professionals, at no cost.

The latest version of the chart features an expanded collection of products and vastly superior photography to ensure the product colours on the chart exactly match the real thing.

Distribution of the updated ‘Managing Your Asthma’ wall chart will commence this month. It will be particularly relevant to general practitioners, pharmacists, thoracic physicians, asthma educators, allergists and practice nurses.

Free copies can also be ordered directly from the National Asthma Council by calling: 1800 032 495.

Resources

You may download and print the chart for individual use only at Managing Your Asthma

Sorting out asthma and allergic rhinitis

The National Asthma Council's program Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, appeared on the Rural Health Education Foundation satellite network this month. The program centred on the investigation and appropriate treatment of allergic rhinitis in asthma patients.

Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis may be confusing and symptoms can easily be mistaken for asthma.  The impact of allergic rhinitis can significantly affect a person’s daily quality of life and when it occurs in conjunction with asthma, can complicate airway symptoms. Patients with allergic rhinitis severe enough to impair activities or worsen asthma control may need pre-emptive treatment as part of their management plan.

Effective management of asthma and allergic rhinitis requires a combined approach.

Dr Norman Swan, chaired the panel consisting of Associate Professor Connie Katelaris, Senior Consultant in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Westmead Hospital; Associate Professor Frank Thien, Respiratory and Allergy Physician at the Alfred and Box Hill Hospitals and Monash University in Melbourne; Mr Peter Holder, Community pharmacist in Canberra and Associate Professor Ian Charlton, General Practitioner from Kincumber in New South Wales and Conjoint Associate Professor for the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle.

If you did not have the opportunity to view this outstanding program during its original broadcast, you may now see it via online webstreaming from the Rural Health Education Foundation website or, if you prefer, a Podcast is also available.

For all the details go to the Rural Health Education Foundation website http://www.rhef.com.au/programs/703/703.html for access to:

• free webstreaming

• free download as an audio Podcast (MP3 audio format) of for later playback on your computer or other digital device, or

• for purchase in DVD or VHS format. 

Resources

Rural Health Education Foundation Programs

National Asthma Council Australia programs with Rural Health Education Foundation

Lung Health Resources for 2007

An excellent resource for GPs reviewing the management of patients with asthma and other respiratory conditions is the Lung Health Promotion Centre at the Alfred in Melbourne Victoria. The centre is committed to providing accessible, evidence-based, holistic education and support for health professionals of all disciplines.

Courses available in 2007

Below is an outline of some of the courses available this year. Course costs and dates may be seen in the flyer All course dates for 2007

Principles & Practice of Spirometry

Endorsed by the Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, this extensive 2 day course is for GPs, nurses, scientists and other health professionals who care for people with asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions.

Principles & Practice of Spirometry

28 – 29 June and 25 – 26 October

Introductory Course in Asthma Education 2007

This highly respected course covers the latest advances in asthma care. It is held over 3 days with an optional fourth day covering program design and presentation skills. The course aims to provide health professionals with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with people with asthma, their carers, the community, physicians and other health professionals to improve health outcomes for people with asthma.

Introductory Course in Asthma Education 2007

30 May - 1 June, 29 - 31 August and 21 - 23 November

Asthma Management Day Update

Asthma effects over 2,000,000 people in Australia. Health professionals in every area of practice need to have an understanding of what asthma is and current management, to help people best manage their condition. This day update is designed for practice, community and hospital based nurses and other health professionals who want to improve their understanding of and update their knowledge in the current management of asthma.

Asthma Management Day Update

26 April and 14 November

Paediatric Respiratory Update

Respiratory disorders are more common and have potentially more serious consequences in children than in adults. The rates of hospital admissions and GP visits are highest in children. Health professionals in every area of practice need to have an understanding of paediatric respiratory assessment. The management of children with respiratory disorders also differs markedly from that of adults.

This day update is designed for practice, community and hospital based nurses and other health professionals who want to improve their understanding of and update their knowledge in the current assessment and management of asthma and other respiratory illnesses in children.

Paediatric Respiratory Update

15 June and 12 October

Managing COPD - There is something you can do!

This two day program is designed for GP's and other health professionals who want to improve their understanding and update their knowledge of the current treatment and management of COPD.

Managing COPD - There is something you can do!

18 - 19 April, 24 - 25 October

For further information or to register for a course, please contact the Lung Health Promotion Centre at The Alfred on
Phone: (03) 9276 2382
Email: lunghealth@alfred.org.au

Website: www.lunghealth.org 

Defining the person with asthma

The recently released report, Statistical snapshots of people with asthma in Australia 2001, looks at health-related characteristics of people with asthma and those who have never had asthma. The findings reveal that that the majority of people with asthma are more likely than not to:

• feel good about their quality of life

• have health the same or better than they did a year ago

• have no days of reduced activity due to illness over any given fortnight

• have no days away from work or school or study due to illness or injury

• have received all recommended childhood immunisations

Nevertheless, more than half of people with asthma:

• have consulted a doctor within a three-month period

• use at least one medication for asthma

• have at least three long-term health conditions

Report author Dr Perri Timmins, of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Asthma, Arthritis and Environmental Health Unit, outlines how 16 out of the 22 long term conditions examined are more likely to be present among people with asthma than among people who have never had asthma.

Interestingly migraine, back pain, depression, and anxiety-related conditions are also more frequent among people with asthma. People with asthma are slightly more likely than those who have never had asthma to experience psychological distress, miss days of work or school, or reduce their level of activity due to their asthma. They are also more likely to be overweight.

Despite the difference in health-related characteristics between people with asthma and those who have never had asthma, the majority of people with asthma consider themselves in generally good health.

This report, based on information from the 2001 National Health Survey, highlights those characteristics that are present in a majority of people with asthma (defining characteristics) and those that differ significantly between people with asthma and those who have never had asthma (distinguishing characteristics). Across six age groups, a total of 60 characteristics are examined covering five dimensions—demographics, health actions, health status and outcomes, risk factors, and long-term health conditions.

Statistical snapshots of people with asthma in Australia 2001 is available from the AIHW website as a PDF for free as well as for sale in print

Go to Statistical snapshots of people with asthma in Australia 2001