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.
How to get published
Conducting research can be a daunting prospect. But by choosing a mentor and working intelligently, pharmacists can research and have their work published.
A study...
Reducing adverse drug reactions in the elderly
Recent research could increase the involvement of pharmacists in the creation of effective medication management plans for elderly patients.
The project is based on a...
Victorian pharmacists to vaccinate children 10 and up
Trained pharmacist immunisers in Victoria will be able to administer the influenza vaccine to children 10 years and above from next year.
Victorian health minister...
The power of compassion in clinical pharmacy
Yong Deng is a Grade 1 clinical pharmacist at Monash Health and one of the founders of South Sudanese Australian Youth United (SSAYU), a...
Taking an idea to reality
The winner of the first PSA Shark Tank is no minnow. SetDose has a $42 billion problem in its sights: medication and dosing errors.
To...
Drivers’ prescription drug use under greater scrutiny
Pharmacists face new challenges when it comes to advising patients how prescription drug-use could affect their driving performance.
A change to the legal definition...
