BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the risk factors in preschool children admitted to inpatient services with a diagnosis of recurrent attacks of wheezing.MethodThe medical files of 44 preschool children with 2 or more recurrent hospitalizations resulting from wheezing between November 2011 and January 2012 were retrospectively investigated.ResultsThere were 28 males (64 %) and 16 females. The median age was 14 months (2.0–50). The median numbers of previous wheezing attacks and hospitalizations were 4 (2–10) and 2 (2–8), respectively. Fourteen patients (32 %) had been treated for gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The previous and recent hospital evaluations were investigated. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and anemia were significantly more common in patients with 3 or more hospitalizations for wheezing than in those with 2 hospitalizations (p = 0.010 and p < 0.001, respectively). A review of the cases with 3 or more hospitalizations revealed that a history of GER and anemia were significant risk factors.ConclusionAnemia and GER are risk factors for recurrent hospitalizations resulting from wheezing and should be treated. If the history and physical examination suggest asthma, inhaler therapy treatment should be administered, with other investigations planned for patients who do not respond to treatment as expected.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) in patients with poor asthma control. Children between 7-17 years of age with diagnosis of persistent asthma who are not on daily inhaler corticosteroid therapy were involved. At enrollment, sociodemographic and asthmatic characteristics were investigated and pulmonary function test (PFT), ACT and PAQLQ were administered. Patients were reevaluated following six week regular inhaler therapy and ACT, PAQLQ and PFT were performed. Out of 77 patients, 35 (45%) were female. The mean age was 11.62 ± 2.35 years. Following 6 weeks daily inhaler therapy, the scores of ACT, all the parameters of PAQLQ and all the parameters of PFT except FEV1/FVC were significantly increased (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between ACT and PAQLQ scores (r < 0.5, p=0.001). In conclusion, there is a correlation between ACT and PAQLQ.

Rationale: Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) is a noninvasive method to measure respiratory impedance. The use of IOS as an indirect measure of airflow obstruction compared to spirometry in the evaluation of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) has not been fully explored in children. In this study we aim to describe the IOS values, resistance at 5 Hz (R5rs) in subjects with EIB and without EIB. We also aim to compare whether IOS variables correlate with spirometry variables following exercise challenge test in asthmatic subjects. Methods:We designed a cross sectional study involving subjects between 6-18 years old with a diagnosis of asthma who were referred to the pediatric pulmonary function lab for an exercise challenge test to rule out EIB. Spirometry and IOS were performed at baseline and at 5 minute intervals up to 20 minutes post exercise and again post bronchodilator.Results: 43 subjects were enrolled. Of the 43 subjects, 15 had a 10% fall in FEV1 after exercise significant for EIB. Demographic characteristics (gender, age and ethnicity) were not different comparing subjects with EIB to those without EIB. There was a significant correlation between spirometry and IOS measurements at baseline, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes and post bronchodilator after exercise (r= -0.75, -0.72, -0.72, -0.76, -0.75, -0.72 and -0.75 respectively, p<0.01) in asthmatic subjects without EIB. In asthmatic subjects with EIB, there was a significant correlation between spirometry and IOS measurements at baseline, 1 minute, and post bronchodilator after exercise (r=-0.55, -0.79 and -0.63 respectively p<0.05). There was weak correlation between spirometry and IOS measurements at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes after exercise for asthmatic subjects with EIB. Conclusion:A significant correlation was found between spirometry and IOS measurements of change in airway function in asthmatic patients both with EIB and without EIB.

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by damage to the small intestinal mucosa following the intake of glutencontaining foods in genetically predisposed individuals. Studies suggest that celiac disease is associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.