Tag: children

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Diagnosing Respiratory Disease in Children Using Cough Sounds

Conditions:   Pneumonia;   Bronchiolitis;   Asthma;   Croup;   Upper Respiratory Tract Infection;   Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Intervention:   Other: Recording of Infants and Children’s Cough Sounds
Sponsors:   ResApp Health Limited;   Massachusetts General Hospital;   The Cleveland Clinic;   Texas Children’s Hospital
Not yet recruiting – verified November 2016

View full post on ClinicalTrials.gov: asthma | Studies received in the last 14 days

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Determinants of longitudinal health-related quality of life change in children with asthma from low-income families: a report from the PROMIS(®) Pediatric Asthma Study.

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Determinants of longitudinal health-related quality of life change in children with asthma from low-income families: a report from the PROMIS(®) Pediatric Asthma Study.

Clin Exp Allergy. 2016 Sep 24;

Authors: Li Z, Leite W, Thompson L, Gross HE, Shenkman E, Reeve BB, DeWalt DA, Huang IC

Abstract
BACKGROUND: How the longitudinal asthma control status and other socio-demographic factors influence the changes of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among asthmatic children, especially from low-income families, has not been fully investigated.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the trajectories of asthma-specific HRQOL over 15 months, and examine the effect of asthma control status on HRQOL by taking socio-demographic factors into consideration.
METHODS: 229 dyads of asthmatic children and their parents enrolled in public insurance programs were recruited for assessing asthma control status and HRQOL over 4 time points of assessment. Asthma control status was measured using the Asthma Control and Communication Instrument and asthma-specific HRQOL was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System’s Pediatric Asthma Impact Scale. Latent growth models (LGMs) were applied to examine the trajectory of HRQOL and the factors contributing to the changes of HRQOL.
RESULTS: Unconditional LGM revealed that HRQOL was improved over time. Conditional LGM suggested that accounting for asthma control and participants’ socio-demographic factors, the variation in the initial level of HRQOL was significant, yet the rate of change was not. Conditional LGM also revealed that poorly-controlled asthma status was associated with poor HRQOL at each time point (p’s<0.05). Lower parental education was associated with lower baseline HRQOL (p<0.05). Hispanic children had a larger increase in HRQOL over time (p<0.01) than non-Hispanic White children.
CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable socio-demographic characteristics and poorly controlled asthma status affect HRQOL in children. This finding encourages interventions to improve asthma control status and HRQOL in minority children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 27664979 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Using Technology to Affect Influenza Vaccine Coverage Among Children With Chronic Respiratory Conditions.

Using Technology to Affect Influenza Vaccine Coverage Among Children With Chronic Respiratory Conditions.

J Pediatr Health Care. 2016 Jul 27;

Authors: Bay SL, Crawford DJ

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Influenza presents additional burdens for children with chronic respiratory conditions. Influenza vaccinations may reduce complications, yet approximately half of children remain unprotected. Evidence supports integration of text and e-mail into multicomponent strategies to increase influenza vaccination rates among children with chronic respiratory conditions.
METHODS: A single text and e-mail message was sent to those with enabled preferences in the patient portal. A follow-up survey assessed aspects of message receipt. Surveys were completed without collection of demographics.
RESULTS: A total of 3,206 messages were successfully delivered. Surveys were initiated by 107 recipients. Frequency analysis showed that text and e-mail messages were preferred forms of communication. A statistically significant relationship was found between receiving a message and receiving an influenza vaccination (p = .027).
DISCUSSION: Text and e-mail messaging are cost effective and well received, and they can be easily integrated into existing systems. These methods are translatable across populations and can convey various types of messages.

PMID: 27475928 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Polymorphic Variants 279R and 668Q Augment Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Breath Condensates of Children with Asthma.

Polymorphic Variants 279R and 668Q Augment Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Breath Condensates of Children with Asthma.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2016 Jul 9;

Authors: Grzela K, Zagórska W, Krejner A, Litwiniuk M, Zawadzka-Krajewska A, Kulus M, Grzela T

Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is involved in pathophysiology of asthma, mainly asthma-associated airway remodeling. Exhaled breath condensates (EBC) of asthmatics contain increased amounts of MMP-9 with activity higher, than in healthy controls. The increased activity of MMP-9 may originate from its excessive production and activation, but may also result from variations in MMP-9 structure, which are determined by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this pilot study we aimed to assess the possible influence of two functional MMP-9 polymorphisms, Q279R and R668Q, on enzymatic activity of MMP-9, measured in EBC of asthmatic children. The concentration and activity of MMP-9 were analyzed in EBC of 20 children with allergic asthma using specific standard ELISA and novel immunoenzymatic activity assay. The SNPs of MMP-9 were assessed using real-time PCR-based genotyping test. We have found that MMP-9 concentration in breath condensates of children with stable asthma was slightly higher in ELISA, than in the activity assay. Moreover, these results and activity-to-amount ratio have revealed some relationship with a presence of specific 279R and/or 668Q MMP-9 gene variants. Our observation suggests that at least in some patients MMP-9 hyperactivity may result from genetic predisposition, determined by polymorphic variants of MMP-9 gene. Moreover, it supports previous reports postulating significance of MMP-9 in pathogenesis of asthma. However, this issue still requires further studies.

PMID: 27395373 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Objective measurement of frequency and pattern of nocturnal cough in children with asthma exacerbation.

Objective measurement of frequency and pattern of nocturnal cough in children with asthma exacerbation.

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016 Jun 30;

Authors: Hirai K, Enseki M, Tabata H, Nukaga M, Matsuda S, Kato M, Furuya H, Mochizuki H

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although a number of patients with asthma report experiencing persistent cough during sleep, it has not yet been objectively investigated.
OBJECTIVE: To classify cough severity and evaluate a characteristic pattern of cough frequency in children with asthma using an objective cough monitoring system.
METHODS: An objective cough monitoring system that specialized in children was used to measure cough frequency and nocturnal cough patterns. Coughs were recorded with microphone and accelerometer and analyzed using a customized software program. The number of nocturnal coughs and the pattern of cough frequency in 30-minute intervals were measured along with the severity of each asthma exacerbation, and the results were compared with children without asthma.
RESULTS: The total overnight cough count of 34 children with asthma was higher than that of 15 children without asthma (P < .001). The total overnight cough count in children with severe asthma exacerbation was higher than that in children with moderate asthma exacerbation (P < .05). The cough counts were significantly increased at the time of falling asleep and waking. This pattern was not observed in children without asthma. The total cough counts and cough patterns in children with asthma were not affected by sex, age, cause of asthma exacerbation, or therapy.
CONCLUSION: Our data indicate huge cough counts and characteristic nocturnal cough patterns in children with asthma. Objective and precise cough monitoring is useful for the management of childhood asthma.

PMID: 27372657 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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