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Au-Doung PLW, Chan JCH, Kui OYH, Ho MKY, Cheung YT, Lam JKW, Chan HK, Brannan J, Chan KCC, Li AM, Leung SSY. Objective monitoring tools for improved management of childhood asthma. Respir Res 2024; 25:194. [PMID: 38702779 PMCID: PMC11069259 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02817-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic disease amongst children. Epidemiological studies showed that the mortality rate of asthma in children is still high worldwide. Asthma control is therefore essential to minimize asthma exacerbations, which can be fatal if the condition is poorly controlled. Frequent monitoring could help to detect asthma progression and ensure treatment effectiveness. Although subjective asthma monitoring tools are available, the results vary as they rely on patients' self-perception. Emerging evidence suggests several objective tools could have the potential for monitoring purposes. However, there is no consensus to standardise the use of objective monitoring tools. In this review, we start with the prevalence and severity of childhood asthma worldwide. Then, we detail the latest available objective monitoring tools, focusing on their effectiveness in paediatric asthma management. Publications of spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), hyperresponsiveness tests and electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) between 2016 and 2023 were included. The potential advantages and limitations of each tool were also discussed. Overall, this review provides a summary for researchers dedicated to further improving objective paediatric asthma monitoring and provides insights for clinicians to incorporate different objective monitoring tools in clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip L W Au-Doung
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason C H Chan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Oliver Y H Kui
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Marco K Y Ho
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yin Ting Cheung
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jenny K W Lam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Hak-Kim Chan
- Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John Brannan
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Kate C C Chan
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Albert M Li
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sharon S Y Leung
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Lung Function Tests, Quality of Life and Telemedicine: Three Windows on the Multifaceted World of Asthma in Adolescents. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9040476. [PMID: 35455520 PMCID: PMC9026868 DOI: 10.3390/children9040476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation and recognized as the most prevalent chronic illness among children. Despite this, the knowledge as to how asthma affects adolescents is still scarce. One of the main management problems of asthmatic adolescents is the poor adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The assessment of respiratory function and the impact on quality of life are still two crucial challenges in the management of asthmatic adolescents. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted physicians to explore complementary management strategies including telemedicine technologies. This review aims to provide an update on the contribution of respiratory functional tests, how asthma affects quality of life of adolescents and, finally, how telemedicine contributes to the management of adolescent asthmatics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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