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.
Empagliflozin for reducing risk of kidney stones
Research shows this SLGT2 inhibitor may reduce stones in people with diabetes, though how is unclear.
Kidney stones (urolithiasis) are commonly seen in primary care,...
Counselling patients on ineffective health apps
While health and fitness apps promise to improve the quality of life for users through positive behavioural changes, few systematic reviews have collated their...
Parents susceptible to anti-vaccine messages from public figures
A new study has found that parents who generally accept vaccination are susceptible to anti-vaccination rhetoric from politicians, suggesting that vaccine messaging needs to...
Pharmacists can teach ‘schoolies’ about emergency contraception
About half of school leavers (schoolies) believe emergency contraception is only effective 12 or 24 hours after sexual intercourse, according to a new study...
Marea O’Donnell extended interview
As a pharmacist who cares about people, any extra involvement of having pharmacists in aged care is going to be good. It’s going to...
Budget supports general practice pharmacists
Greater support for GP pharmacists, funds for high-cost medicine reduction and $1 billion for new PBS spending have emerged as the high points of...
