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.
Choosing wisely to achieve medicine safety
The quality use of medicines is vital to ensure a sustainable healthcare system and better health outcomes for consumers.
This was the dominant theme at...
It’s time to use pharmacists’ skills properly
Australia’s pharmacists are underutilised. How can tapping pharmacists’ skills as medicines experts produce better healthcare outcomes?
Pharmacists are highly trained, have deep expertise in medicines,...
Management of apathy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease often experience symptoms of apathy, which can be treated by pharmacological and behavioural interventions.
The purpose of this evidence...
Balancing acts: the pharmacist and prescriber relationship
Patients rely on pharmacists and prescribers having mutual respect for one another, while maintaining their independence. We take a look at striking the right...
Myths around asthma remain strong, new research finds
Fewer than half of all Australians can correctly identify asthma as a chronic disease that doesn’t go away, according to new Asthma Australia research.¹
In...
Pharmacist recognised for contribution to pain management
Pharmacists who have an interest in a specific field are in charge of their own development, says pain expert Joyce McSwan, who was recently...
