Ceila E. Loughlin

Neutrophilic inflammation is associated with altered airway hydration in stable asthmatics

BACKGROUND Airway dehydration is a potential trigger of bronchoconstriction in exercise-induced asthma; however, its role in stable asthma has not been explored. Using sputum percent solids, as an indicator of airway hydration, we sought relationships between airway hydration and other known markers of neutrophilic (TH1) and allergic (TH2) inflammation in stable asthma. METHODS Thirty-seven atopic subjects with stable asthma and 15 healthy controls underwent sputum induction. Sputum was analyzed for percent solids, cell counts, cellular and biochemical markers of inflammation and purines. RESULTS Sputum percent solids was significantly elevated in stable asthmatics vs. controls and positively correlated with markers of neutrophilic/TH1-type inflammation (neutrophils, IL-8 and AMP). Sputum percent solids were not correlated with markers of allergic/TH2-type inflammation. These data suggest a direct relationship between neutrophil inflammation and airway hydration in stable asthmatics.

Using videos to teach children inhaler technique: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: This primary objective of this pilot randomized, controlled trial was to determine whether a brief video intervention delivered after a pediatric office visit could improve inhaler technique in children with asthma immediately and one month later. The intervention’s effect on children’s inhaler self-efficacy and asthma control was also evaluated. Methods: Children (n = 91) ages 7–17 years with persistent asthma were recruited at two pediatric practices in North Carolina. Eligible children demonstrated their inhaler technique for metered dose inhalers (MDIs) either with or without a spacer. A trained research assistant used a validated inhaler technique checklist to record which steps children performed correctly. After a regularly scheduled office visit, children were randomized to watch either a 3-min MDI video (intervention group) or a nutrition video (control group) in English or Spanish. Children’s technique was assessed again after watching the video and one month later. Results: Children were primarily male (56%) and non-White (60%). When compared with the control group, children in the intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in MDI technique post-intervention [mean = 1.12 steps, 95% CI (0.73, 1.50)] but the improvement was not sustained at 1-month follow-up. The intervention did not lead to significant improvements in inhaler self-efficacy or asthma control. Conclusions: A brief video intervention offered during pediatric clinic visits can lead to immediate improvements in children’s inhaler technique. Future studies should evaluate whether booster training videos can help maintain improvements in children’s inhaler technique over time.

Discussions between medical providers and children/caregivers about the benefits of asthma-control medications

OBJECTIVES To describe the content of discussions between general pediatric providers and children and their caregivers about the benefits of asthma-control medication; describe the extent to which these discussions occur; and examine factors that are associated with medication benefit discussions. DESIGN Cross-sectional secondary analysis of audiotaped medical visits. SETTING Five primary care pediatric clinics in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS 35 pediatric providers and 248 children with persistent asthma and their caregivers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence of discussion about benefits associated with asthma-control medications. RESULTS Providers discussed benefits associated with asthma-control medications during 56% of medical visits. Benefits were more likely to be discussed when the child was younger and when medication adherence was discussed during the visit. When providers discussed benefits of asthma-control medications, they were most likely to ask questions and make statements regarding symptom control/prevention. CONCLUSION General pediatric medical providers often do not discuss the benefits of asthma-control medications. Pharmacists could fill this information gap by counseling both children and their caregivers about benefits that a child with asthma can expect as a result of treatment.

Acceptance of a pre-visit intervention to engage teens in pediatric asthma visits

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to: (a) describe teen feedback on an asthma question prompt list/video intervention designed to motivate teens to be more engaged during visits and (b) examine teen demographics associated with teen acceptance of the intervention. METHODS Two hundred and fifty-nine teens ages 11 to 17 with persistent asthma were enrolled into a randomized, controlled trial and assigned to either a standard care or an intervention group where they watched an educational video with their parents and received a prompt list to complete before visits. Teens were interviewed after visits. RESULTS Of the 185 teens randomized to the intervention group: 93% said teens should complete the prompt lists before visits; 95% recommended teens should watch the video before visits; teens with moderate/severe persistent asthma were significantly more likely to find the prompt list useful; non-White teens were significantly more likely to find the prompt list and video more useful. CONCLUSIONS Teens exposed to the question prompt list/video had very positive feedback about the intervention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Providers/practices should consider having teens complete question prompt lists during pre-visit wait time for use during visits and watch the video with their parents before visits.

Provider-caregiver-child discussions about risks associated with asthma control medications: content and prevalence.

The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe the extent to which general pediatric providers discuss risks associated with asthma control medications with families, and (2) examine factors that are associated with risk discussions.

Low-level ozone has both respiratory and systemic effects in African American adolescents with asthma despite asthma controller therapy

In a cohort of African American adolescents with persistent asthma on guidelines-based daily controller therapies, short-term elevation of low ozone levels below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 70 ppb were associated with lung function decrements and elevated lipid levels.

Provider use of a participatory decision-making style with youth and caregivers and satisfaction with pediatric asthma visits

Background We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an asthma question prompt list with video intervention to engage the youth during clinic visits. We examined whether the intervention was associated with 1) providers including youth and caregiver inputs more into asthma treatment regimens, 2) youth and caregivers rating providers as using more of a participatory decision-making style, and 3) youth and caregivers being more satisfied with visits. Methods English- or Spanish-speaking youth aged 11–17 years with persistent asthma and their caregivers were recruited from four pediatric clinics and randomized to the intervention or usual care groups. The youth in the intervention group watched the video with their caregivers on an iPad and completed a one-page asthma question prompt list before their clinic visits. All visits were audiotaped. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data. Results Forty providers and their patients (n=359) participated in this study. Providers included youth input into the asthma management treatment regimens during 2.5% of visits and caregiver input during 3.3% of visits. The youth in the intervention group were significantly more likely to rate their providers as using more of a participatory decision-making style (odds ratio=1.7, 95% confidence interval=1.1, 2.5). White caregivers were significantly more likely to rate the providers as more participatory (odds ratio=2.3, 95% confidence interval=1.2, 4.4). Youth (beta=4.9, 95% confidence interval=3.3, 6.5) and caregivers (beta=7.5, 95% confidence interval=3.1, 12.0) who rated their providers as being more participatory were significantly more satisfied with their visits. Youth (beta=−1.9, 95% confidence interval=−3.4, −0.4) and caregivers (beta=−8.8, 95% confidence interval=−16.2, −1.3) who spoke Spanish at home were less satisfied with visits. Conclusion The intervention did not increase the inclusion of youth and caregiver inputs into asthma treatment regimens. However, it did increase the youth’s perception of participatory decision-making style of the providers, and this in turn was associated with greater satisfaction.

Improving youth question-asking and provider education during pediatric asthma visits

OBJECTIVE We conducted a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an asthma question prompt list with video intervention to increase youth question-asking and provider education during visits. METHODS English or Spanish-speaking youth ages 11-17 with persistent asthma and their parents were enrolled from four rural and suburban pediatric clinics. Youth were randomized to the intervention or usual care groups. Intervention group adolescents watched the video on an iPad and then completed an asthma question prompt list before their visits. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Forty providers and 359 patients participated. Intervention group youth were significantly more likely to ask one or more questions about medications, triggers, and environmental control than usual care youth. Providers were significantly more likely to educate intervention group youth about rescue medications, triggers, and environmental control. Intervention group caregivers were not significantly more likely to ask questions. CONCLUSION The intervention increased youth question-asking and provider education about medications, triggers, and environmental control. The intervention did not impact caregiver question-asking. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Providers/practices should consider having youth complete question prompt lists and watch the video with their parents before visits to increase youth question-asking during visits.

Factors associated with adolescent and caregiver reported problems in using asthma medications

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of this study was to: (a) describe the types of medication problems/concerns youth with asthma and their caregivers reported and (b) examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and youth and caregiver reported medication problems/concerns. Methods: English- and Spanish-speaking youth ages 11–17 with persistent asthma were recruited at four pediatric clinics. Youth were interviewed and caregivers completed questionnaires about reported asthma medication concerns/problems. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Three hundred and fifty-nine youth were recruited. Eighty percent of youth and 70% of caregivers reported one or more problems in using asthma medications. The most commonly reported problems by youth were: (a) hard to remember when to take the asthma medication (54%) and (b) hard to use asthma medication at school (34%). Younger children were significantly more likely to report difficulty in understanding their asthma medications directions and difficulty reading the print on the medications package. Caregivers’ top-reported problem was that it is hard for their child to remember to take their asthma medications (49%). Caregivers without Medicaid were significantly more likely to express difficulty paying for their childs asthma medications. Conclusions: Difficulty remembering to take asthma medication was a significant problem for youth and their caregivers. Providers should work with youth and their caregivers to identify asthma medication problems and discuss strategies to address those problems.

Reported Problems and Adherence in Using Asthma Medications Among Adolescents and Their Caregivers

Background: Many factors affect youth adherence to asthma medications. Better understanding of the relationship between problems reported by youth in using asthma medications, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and adherence is needed. Objective: The study examined the relationship between youth and caregiver problems in using asthma medications, asthma management self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and youth- and caregiver-reported adherence to asthma controller medications. Methods: Adolescents with persistent asthma and their caregivers were recruited at 4 pediatric practices. Youth were interviewed after their medical visit while caregivers completed a questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Of 359 participating youth, 319 were on controller medications. Youth reported 60% average adherence, whereas caregivers reported 69%. Youth who reported difficulty using their inhaler correctly and youth who reported difficulty remembering to take their medications were significantly less likely to be adherent. Caregivers who reported that it was hard to remember when to give the asthma medications were significantly less likely to report their child being adherent. Both youth and caregivers with higher outcome expectations were significantly more likely to self-report being adherent. Conclusions: Pharmacists and other health care providers should consider asking youth and caregivers about problems in using asthma medications, self-efficacy in managing asthma, and outcome expectations for following treatment regimens, so that they can help youth overcome difficulties they might have in managing their asthma.