Emergency department management of pediatric asthma

Budesonide reduces hospital admission rates in preschool children with acute wheezing

The object of this study was to determine whether high doses of inhaled budesonide provide additional benefits to a standardized treatment regimen that includes systemic steroids and salbutamol in preschool patients presented to the emergency department (ED) with acute wheezing attacks. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial was conducted in children, 6 months-6 years with moderate or severe acute wheezing epizode, as determined based on a pulmonary index score (PIS) of 7-13 points. We compared the addition of budesonide 3 mg versus placebo to standard acute asthma treatment, which included salbutamol and a single 1 mg/kg dose of methylprednisolone given at the beginning of therapy. The primary outcome was differences in hospitalization rates within 4 hr. Secondary outcome was difference in median PIS between treatment groups at 2 hr. Results One hundred patients were enrolled. Cumulative hospitalization rate at 120, 180, and 240 min were 0.72, 0.62, and 0.58 in placebo group; and 0.44, 0.30, and 0.24 in budesonide group. Discharged rate in budesonide group was significantly higher than the placebo group (log-rank = 12.407 ve P < 0.001). Expected mean discharged times were 200.4 (95%CI = 185.3-215.5) min in placebo group and 164.4 (95%CI = 149.4-179.4) min in budesonide group. Median (25-75%) PIS at the 120th min was significantly lower in budesonide group than the placebo group (5 [4-8] vs. 8 [5-9] respectively, P = 0.006). Conclusions The addition of budesonide nebulization may decrease the admission rate of preschool children who have moderate to severe acute wheezing epizodes. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:720-728. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Cancer Rehabilitation. 2. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Review

Pulmonary rehabilitation includes the rehabilitation of not only patients with respiratory failure in need of ventilatory support but also patients with primary pulmonary disease. New advances in medical management now offer treatment to patients with end-stage emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial disease, and the principles of rehabilitation can add both function and quality to the lives of these patients. New surgical approaches and better transplantation outcomes that restore pulmonary function have also been introduced. Rehabilitation professionals need to be aware of these advances and be able to incorporate this knowledge into the practice of rehabilitation medicine.

OVERALL ARTICLE OBJECTIVES

(a) To identify major categories of pulmonary disease seen in pulmonary rehabilitation, (b) to know appropriate interventions and support for patients with respiratory failure, (c) to describe the new interventions available for end-stage lung disease, and (d) to describe the appropriate pulmonary rehabilitation for people with pulmonary disease.