December 2007

Season's Greetings from the National Asthma Council Australia.

New national spirometry training course

Tree choice makes a difference

ASCIA and NAC Asthma Research Award 2007

ASCIA launches new website

Treatment of difficult asthma

Research Funding Opportunities 

Conference Diary 2008

New national spirometry training course

Australia’s first national spirometry training course for GPs and practice nurses was launched by the NAC in November 2007.

More than 30 medical practitioners working with the Australian Defence Forces attended the inaugural workshop held in Melbourne.

Following the model of the NAC‘s highly successful A-Team® asthma education program, the spirometry training course will be offered to GPs and practice nurses through Divisions of General Practice across Australia.

The 6-hour interactive course is designed to provide participants with comprehensive training in the application, measurement and interpretation of expiratory spirometry in general practice. Hands on components will allow participants to apply their new knowledge in a practical setting.

The new Spirometry Training Course is the result of an extensive consultation and development process involving the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS) and the NAC’s GP Asthma Group. The NAC is particularly grateful to Assoc. Prof. David P. Johns, one of Australia’s leading respiratory scientists, for his valuable contribution to the course development.

Reference

Spirometry training course

Tree choice makes a difference

Whether you prefer a real or fake Christmas tree both options could trigger asthma symptoms.

According to National Asthma Council Chief Executive Officer, Kristine Whorlow, pollens and dust are two of the most common asthma triggers and both could be lurking amongst the branches of your Chrissie tree, depending on which option you choose.

“Most people are unaware that some trees produce high amounts of pollen and pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms and asthma,” Kristine Whorlow said.

“Some of the biggest pollen producers include the Cypress family of trees and pine trees – the same trees that we use as the central focus of our Christmas celebrations, often bringing them into our living rooms for weeks on end.”

Judi Wicking, an experienced nurse and asthma educator, needs no convincing when it comes to pointing the finger at real Christmas trees as an asthma trigger.

As a child Judi’s family annually erected an artificial tree, but when Judi had a family of her own she opted for the real thing.

“For two or three years we had a real Christmas tree in the house and I found myself wheezing throughout the festivities. At first I didn’t make the connection, then I twigged – we got rid of the Christmas tree and I stopped wheezing.”

So for Judi’s family the answer to the annual Christmas tree dilemma is a fake tree – but some caution is needed here too, when it comes to minimising asthma triggers.

“Artificial trees can accumulate dust and even mould – another common asthma trigger – depending on how they have been stored, particularly over the damper winter months,” explained Kristine Whorlow.

Clean before you decorate

To minimise the Christmas wheeze, the National Asthma Council recommends vacuuming artificial trees and decorations as you get them out of the box, unpacking them outside if possible and wiping down artificial trees before putting them up inside.

“If you have asthma it’s important to be aware of your asthma triggers and avoid them if possible. You should also continue to follow the personal written asthma action plan that you have developed with your doctor,” Kristine Whorlow advised.

“At this time of the year, make sure you have your medication with you and take it as advised by your doctor, even if you are out partying or away on holidays.”

Seasonal asthma triggers

Trees

Natural Christmas trees may harbour pollen and artificial trees can be a major dust trap and may also accumulate mould – all three can trigger asthma in susceptible people.

Outdoor Parties

The office break up in the park or Christmas Day under the Aussie sun could spell trouble for people this year. Recent rains and an extended grass growing season mean that there is still a lot of pollen floating around, particularly on windy days, which can trigger asthma and hay fever.

Decorations

Have the vacuum on hand when you unpack last year’s box of decorations. Ideally, unpack them outside and clean before use. If you are attached to your soft decorations, such as Christmas-themed soft toys or felt stockings, you can put them in the freezer overnight before use to kill dust mites. Prevent the build up of dust next year by sealing ornaments in plastic bags and storing them in airtight containers.

Scented Candles

Scented candles have become one of the most popular Christmas gifts and atmospheric decorations. Unfortunately, for some people with asthma, the perfume in scented candles may trigger symptoms.

Emotions

Christmas is a time of many emotions. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but it can also be the season for added pressures and stress as the year races to a close and that Christmas deadline looms. Stress and anxiety can be a trigger for asthma as can other intense emotions such as yelling, crying and laughing.

Resources

Asthma and Allergy

Asthma and Allergy Brochure

Asthma and Allergy Information Paper

Allergic rhinitis and your asthma: What you should know

Allergic rhinitis and the patient with Asthma: A guide for health professionals

Asthma Action Plans 

First Aid Chart 

Asthma and allergy - Asthma Management Handbook 2006

ASCIA and NAC Asthma Research Award 2007

Dr Peter Vuillermin from Geelong Hospital has won the 2007 Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and NAC Asthma Research Award.

The ASCIA and NAC Asthma Research Award is one of four annual awards funded by the NAC to encourage research into asthma. It is given for the best abstract or poster presentation on asthma at the ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting.

Dr Vuillermin’s winning poster presentation was: A cross-sectional comparison of anxiety symptoms among primary school children with and without asthma.

Resources

NAC Asthma Research Awards

ASCIA (http://www.allergy.org.au/)

ASCIA launches new website

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) is a member organisation of the NAC. The association includes clinical immunologists and allergy specialists who provide service in the management and treatment of a range of common and rare diseases that involve the immune system, including allergic diseases; autoimmune diseases; immunodeficiencies and immunosuppression.

The website features:

• Anaphylaxis Resources
  A range of Anaphylaxis Action Plans (child and adult) designed to be completed by the GP to assist in management of an individual with a severe allergic reaction
   

• Patient Information on allergy including:

  prevention and treatment of allergy
  hayfever and sinusitis
  food allergy 
  allergy and the skin
  severe allergies
  asthma
  immune diseases
   

• Position papers from ASCIA including:
  Management of Latex Allergic Patients
  Allergy Prevention in Children
  Unorthodox Techniques for Diagnosis and Treatment
  Skin prick testing
  Prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools
  Consensus on Anti-Intrinsic Factor Antibody
  Testing Guidelines - Uncertainty of Measurement
   

• ASCIA Education Resources (AER)
  An official education project for the organisation that provides a range of information bulletins, for the benefit of the public, medical practitioners, other health professionals and the media.

Resource

ASCIA (http://www.allergy.org.au/)

Treatment of difficult asthma

Australian research has shown that a commonly available antibiotic can improve the quality of life of patients with difficult asthma, and may also generate significant health care savings.

Results of a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, indicate that macrolide antibiotics could prove a successful therapy in conjunction with current asthma treatment.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma (VIVA) Research Program.

Current asthma medication is focused on treating a particular cell, called an eosinophil. Increased levels of eosinophils are thought to be responsible for inflammation of the airways. However, almost half of people with asthma symptoms have normal levels of eosinophils.

"In a previous study we have shown that an inflammatory cell called the neutrophil is increased in some asthma patients and that treatments are needed to combat other types of inflammation in people with asthma," said Dr Jodie Simpson from the University of Newcastle's Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases.

Researchers studied 45 people who had poor asthma control and were taking high daily maintenance doses of inhaled corticosteroids. In addition to their regular asthma therapy, participants received a macrolide antibiotic, clarithromycin, or placebo medication for eight weeks.

"In this study we have shown that treatment with a macrolide antibiotic for eight weeks significantly reduced inflammation in the airways and improved quality of life in patients with difficult asthma," said Dr Simpson.

"Patients with non-eosinophilic asthma particularly benefited from this treatment and this group of patients had the biggest response to the treatment. This treatment significantly reduced the number of neutrophils in the airway.

"This finding is significant because 5 to 10 per cent of asthma cases are considered difficult and these account for 50 per cent of asthma treatment and health care costs."

This study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Reference

Simpson JL, Powell H, Boyle MJ, Scott RJ, and Gibson PG. Clarithromycin Targets Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation in Refractory Asthma Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. doi:10.1164/rccm.200707-1134OC

Research Funding Opportunities