Effect of Salmeterol on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Concentrations in Asthma
Allergic AsthmaBDNF has been linked to the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. In this trial, the impact of a treatment with salmeterol and salmeterol / fluticasone on BDNF concentrations will be assessed in patients with asthma. The investigators hypothesize that salmeterol impacts on BDNF concentrations in patients with asthma.
Examining the Role of Vitamin D in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
AsthmaPulmonary Disease1 moreAsthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are diseases that affect a person's ability to breathe normally. People who do not receive enough vitamin D may have a higher risk of developing asthma or COPD. This study will examine previously collected blood samples of participants in three studies to determine whether people with low vitamin D levels have an increased risk of severe asthma or COPD.
Determine the Relationship Between Circadian Rhythms and Nocturnal Asthma
AsthmaAsthma is a disease that affects the lungs. Symptoms include repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Some people with asthma experience worse symptoms at night, which is known as nocturnal asthma (NA). The reason for the decline in lung function at night in some asthmatics is not well understood, but it may be linked to the human biological clock, which controls daily activity and sleep rhythms. To determine whether differences in biological clocks relate to worsening nocturnal lung function, this study will evaluate the circadian rhythms of people with NA, people with non-nocturnal asthma, and healthy people.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Decision Support to Improve Outpatient Asthma Care
AsthmaTo determine whether an innovative clinical decision support system embedded in an existing electronic health record (EHR) will improve provider adherence to the existing National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines. 12 primary care pediatric practices at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia(both urban and suburban sites) will be randomized to receive either a passive EHR (control sites) or an interactive decision support system (intervention sites).
Analysis of Blood-based Biomarkers of Asthma
AsthmaThe purpose of this study is to analyze markers of inflammation in blood and in induced sputum for the purpose of identifying molecular markers of specific asthma phenotypes. The investigators' specific interest is demonstrating that periostin levels are higher than normal in blood. The investigators already have solid preliminary data to support this hypothesis, and our goal here is to replicate preliminary findings and extend them by examining further the characteristics of the asthma subgroup with elevated periostin levels.
Effect of Montelukast on the Expression and Variation of TGF-β for Children With Mild Persistent...
AsthmaThe Objective of our research is to observe the effect of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist on the expression and variation of TGF-β1 levels and mRNA expression in children with mild persistent asthma in their plasma and T lymphocyte, to discuss the role of TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma in children and to evaluate the function of regulation of leukotriene receptor antagonist on asthma in children.
Assessment of Utility of Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurement for Treatment Monitoring in Children With...
AsthmaThe aim of this study is to assess the utility of exhaled nitric oxide measurement (FeNO) in treatment monitoring in children with asthma. According to the aim of the study following assumptions are formulated: Comparison of annual cumulative steroid dose, number of bronchodilator doses taken, number of asthma exacerbation, number of hospitalisation due to asthma, between group of children with asthma with FeNO monitored treatment (study group), and group of children with treatment monitored by GINA's grade of disease clinical control (control group) Assessment of corelation of FeNO (ppb) with symptom score (points)and lung function (FEV1) Comparison of values of non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness with methacholine (PC20M)between both study groups after 12. months of treatment.
A Long-Term Examination of Asthma From Childhood Through Adolescence
AsthmaDermatitis3 moreAsthma is a common disease that is often diagnosed in childhood. In some teenagers, asthma symptoms disappear and treatment can be stopped; however, for some of these people, asthma symptoms return in adulthood. This study will examine data collected over the lifetime of 18-year olds to identify factors that may increase a person's chance of having recurrent asthma as an adult.
Non-interventional Surveillance of Effectiveness of Symbicort® Maintenance And Reliever Therapy...
AsthmaThis is a 3-month non-interventional, observational study on patients with moderate and severe asthma.
Exercise Challenge Test in 3-6 Years Old Asthmatic Children
AsthmaVigorous exercise is known to cause transient bronchoconstriction in school children with asthma, many of whom initially have normal lung function at rest. The presence and extent of this phenomena in early childhood is difficult to recognize, because exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) may not limit the child's performance and the child may fail to notice the symptoms until taking part in organized or competitive sport. Conversely, as children do participate in vigorous activities all day long, severe EIB may provoke a crucial disabling condition in the child. In school children the exercise challenge test (ECT) is a well standardized test and is used to make a diagnosis of asthma because it is able to discriminate between asthma and other chronic breathing illnesses of childhood and is also used to determine the effectiveness and optimal dosages of medications prescribed to prevent EIB. The test includes is a controlled run on a motor-driven treadmill followed by scheduled multiple spirometry maneuvers. This procedure was never been tested and may not be suitable for the preschool age. In this study we assumed that a free-run test which combined with measurements of duplicate spirometry-sets would be the most convenient way to test young children. The aims of this study are a) to examine the feasibility of a free-run protocol (according to the ATS/ERS recomendations), followed by duplicate spirometry measurements in early childhood. b) to explore the existence of exercise induced bronchoconstriction in young children (age 3-6 years old) with respiratory symptoms.