Asthma is increasingly recognised as a heterogeneous disease, with several phenotypes defined by clinical and inflammatory characteristics. Common phenotypes include allergic (eosinophilic, IgE-mediated), non-allergic (often neutrophilic or paucigranulocytic), late-onset adult asthma, obesity-associated asthma, and asthma with persistent airflow limitation.14 Identifying phenotypes supports individualised treatment strategies, particularly in those with severe asthma, and better long-term outcomes.
Steps 2 and 3: Maintenance and reliever therapy (MART)
Comorbid conditions can complicate asthma management. Assess for and help address factors such as allergic rhinitis, which affects up to 80% of people with asthma,24 as well as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), anxiety, depression, obstructive sleep apnoea and smoking.
Gila monster saliva for Parkinson’s disease
You don’t notice it at first but you find yourself tripping over and falling a lot more – you can’t ever remember being that...
Missing conversations
Patients are being harmed because we are not talking about the adverse effects of mental health medicines.
Why this Aboriginal health service values its GP pharmacist
Kylie van Rooijen MPS found a role in a South Australian Aboriginal health service by chance. After seeing the difference having a pharmacist on board can make, they are determined to keep her on.
Pharmacists scramble to protect remote communities from COVID-19
Clusters of infection in regional and remote areas continue to grow, with overworked pharmacists adapting their services to minimise the spread.
Kingsley Coulthard is PSA’s 2022 SA Lifetime Achievement Award winner
The former Director of Pharmacy at Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Kingsley Coulthard FPS, is South Australia’s PSA Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2022.
Changes to PBS antibiotic prescribing
In a move aimed at reducing antibiotic resistance, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended that four of the most widely prescribed antibiotics...
