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.
Caring during chaos; keeping the flame burning
Burnout, by its nature, isn’t easy to head off. Spotting the warning signs early gives the best chance of dealing with it.
Why pharmacies need privacy management plans
As trusted custodians of personal health information, pharmacists need to be transparent and detailed on exactly how they keep customers’ data confidential and secure.
A...
NT pharmacists leading the way in My Health Record uptake
Community pharmacists in the Northern Territory are well-prepared for the national My Health Record (MHR) rollout, with nearly 70% of pharmacies either registered or...
Pharmacists key to reducing antimicrobial resistance
A third report outlining the ongoing threat of antimicrobial resistance has been released by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)....
Expansion of pharmacist vaccinations
Another Australian state has expanded the scope of pharmacist-administered vaccinations this month, meaning pharmacists can help to protect the community against more infectious diseases...
PSA submission calls for urgent action on rural healthcare
The Federal Government needs to create a Commonwealth Chief Pharmacist role and urgently develop a discussion paper to address rural pharmacy quality, access and...
