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Asthma reviews by topic

Issue 2, 2008 of The Cochrane Library included 6 reviews and 1 protocol on the prevention and treatment of childhood and adult asthma.  A full list of topics and reviews can be viewed below. 

Click on the title to view the full review or protocol

Log on to The Cochrane Library to read protocols and full reviews. (click here for search tip)

[R] Cochrane review

[P] Protocol for Cochrane review
[S] Summary of Cochrane review available

Quick links to topics:

Topic Reviews and Protocols 
Click on title to view review or protocol
Acute Asthma – Non-pharmacological management in adults and/or children
  1. Education interventions for adults who attend the emergency room for acute asthma  [R]
  2. Interventions for educating children who have attended the emergency room for asthma  [R]
  3. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to severe acute exacerbations of asthma  [R]  [S]
  4. Oxygen versus air for nebulising beta-agonist bronchodilators in acute asthma  [P]
  5. Workplace interventions for treatment of occupational asthma  [P]
  6. Indigenous healthcare worker involvement for Indigenous adults and children with asthma  [R]

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Acute Asthma – Pharmacological management in children only

Corticosteroid Therapy: 

  1. Corticosteroids for hospitalised children with acute asthma  [R] [s]

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Bronchodilator Therapy: 

  1. Anti-cholinergic therapy for acute asthma in children  [P]
  2. Combined inhaled anticholinergics and beta2-agonists for initial treatment of acute asthma in children  [R]
  3. Intravenous aminophylline for acute severe asthma in children over two years receiving inhaled bronchodilators  [R]
  4. Commercial versus home-made spacers in delivering bronchodilator therapy for acute therapy in children  [R]

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Other: 

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Acute Asthma – Pharmacological therapy in adults and children Corticosteroid Therapy: 
  1. Corticosteroids for acute severe asthma in hospitalised patients  [R]
  2. Corticosteroids for preventing relapse following acute exacerbations of asthma  [R]
  3. Early emergency department treatment of acute asthma with systemic corticosteroids  [R]
  4. Early use of inhaled corticosteroids in the emergency department treatment of acute asthma  [R]  [s]
  5. Inhaled steroids for acute asthma following emergency department discharge  [R]
  6. Oral and systemic steroids at different doses for acute asthma in hospitalised children  [P]
  7. Parent-initiated oral corticosteroid therapy for intermittent wheezing illnesses in children  [R]

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Bronchodilator Therapy: 

  1. Addition of intravenous aminophylline to beta2-agonists in adults with acute asthma  [R]
  2. Continuous versus intermittent beta-agonists in the treatment of acute asthma  [R] [s]
  3. Inhaled beta-agonist and anticholinergic agents for emergency management of asthma in adults  [P]
  4. Inhaled beta-agonists for asthma in mechanically ventilated patients  [R]
  5. Intravenous beta2-agonists for acute asthma in the emergency department   [R]
  6. Non-selective beta agonists versus beta-2-agonists for acute asthma  [P]
  7. Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta-agonist treatment of acute asthma  [R]  [S]

 

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Delivery of therapy:

  1. Antibiotics for acute asthma  [R]
  2. Helium-oxygen mixture for nonintubated acute asthma patients  [R]
  3. Holding chambers versus nebulisers for beta-agonist treatment of acute asthma  [R]  [s]
  4. Magnesium sulfate for treating exacerbations of acute asthma in the emergency department  [R]
  5. Oxygen versus air for nebulising beta-agonist bronchodilators in acute asthma  [P]

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Other:

  1. Heliox for nonintubated acute asthma patients  [R] [s]
  2. Leucotriene receptor antagonists in addition to usual care for acute asthma in adults and children  [P]
  3. Magnesium sulfate for treating exacerbations of acute asthma in the emergency departmen[R]
  4. Antibiotics for acute asthma  [R]
  5. Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma  [R]  [S]

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Chronic Asthma – Non-pharmacological management Air modification:
  1. Humidification of inspired air in exercise-induced asthma  [P]
  2. Humidity control for chronic asthma  [R]
  3. Ionisers for chronic asthma  [R]  [s]
  4. Pet allergen control measures for allergic asthma in children and adults  [R] [s]
  5. House dust mite control measures for asthma  [R]

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Breathing exercise and therapy:

  1. Breathing exercises for asthma  [R] [s]
  2. Inspiratory muscle training for asthma  [R] [s]
  3. Manual therapy for asthma  [R]  [S]
  4. Physical training for asthma  [R]

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Education, Self Management and Specialist Clinics:

  1. Educational interventions for asthma in children  [R] [s]
  2. Interventions for improving asthma care in ethnic minorities  [P]
  3. Limited (information only) patient education programs for adults with asthma  [R]
  4. Options for self-management education for adults with asthma  [R] [s]
  5. Primary care based clinics for asthma  [R]
  6. Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma  [R] [s]
  7. Written individualised management plans for asthma in children and adults  [R]  [S]
  8. Educational interventions for asthma in adults  [P]
  9. Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults  [R]
  10. Culture-specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma  [R]

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Psychotherapy:

  1. Family therapy for asthma in children  [R]  [S]
  2. Psychotherapeutic interventions for adults with asthma  [R] [s]
  3. Psychological interventions for children with asthma  [R]

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Dietary supplementation/modifications:

  1. Breast feeding and development of childhood wheeze  [P]
  2. Calorie controlled diet for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  3. Cow's milk protein avoidance and development of childhood wheeze in children with a family history of atopy  [R]
  4. Dietary marine fatty acids (fish oil) for asthma in adults and children  [R]
  5. Dietary salt reduction or exclusion for allergic asthma  [R] [s]
  6. Monosodium glutamate avoidance for chronic asthma in adults and children  [P]
  7. Selenium supplementation for asthma  [R] [s]
  8. Tartrazine exclusion for allergic asthma  [R]
  9. Vitamin C supplementation for asthma  [R] [s]

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Barrier methods for allergic asthma:

  1. Feather versus non-feather bedding for asthma  [R]
  2. House dust mite control measures for asthma  [R]  [S]
  3. Pet allergen control measures for allergic asthma in children and adults  [R]  [S]

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Complementary Medicines:

  1. Alexander technique for chronic asthma  [R]
  2. Acupuncture for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  3. Allergen immunotherapy for asthma  [R] [s]
  4. Homeopathy for chronic asthma  [R] [s]
  5. Hydrotherapy for asthma  [P]
  6. Speleotherapy for asthma  [R]
  7. Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
Other
  1. Gastro-oesophageal reflux treatment for asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]

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Chronic Asthma – 
Pharmacological management adults and children
Steroid therapy:
  1. Budesonide for chronic asthma in children and adults  [R]
  2. Flunisolide for chronic asthma  [P]
  3. Inhaled fluticasone versus beclomethasone or budesonide for chronic asthma  [R]  [s]
  4. High dose versus low dose inhaled corticosteroid as initial starting dose for asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]
  5. Inhaled corticosteroids versus sodium cromoglycate in children and adults with asthma  [R]
  6. Inhaled beclomethasone at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  7. Inhaled beclomethasone versus budesonide for chronic asthma  [R]
  8. Inhaled beclomethasone versus placebo for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  9. Inhaled budesonide at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  10. Inhaled corticosteroid effects on bone metabolism in asthma and mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  [R]
  11. Intranasal corticosteroids for asthma control in people with coexisting asthma and rhinitis  [R] [s]
  12. Inhaled fluticasone at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  13. Inhaled fluticasone proprionate for chronic asthma  [R]
  14. Inhaled versus oral steroids for adults with chronic asthma  [R]
  15. Inhaled triamcinolone for chronic asthma  [R]
  16. Mometasone for asthma in adults and children  [P]
  17. Inhaled steroids for episodic viral wheeze of childhood  [R]
  18. Beclomethasone versus placebo for chronic asthma  [R]
  19. Beclomethasone at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  20. Triamcinolone for chronic asthma  [P]
  21. Budesonide at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  22. Fluticasone versus HFA-beclomethasone dipropionate for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  23. Ciclesonide versus placebo for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  24. Fluticasone versus beclomethasone or budesonide for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  25. Ciclesonide versus other inhaled steroids for chronic asthma in children and adults  [R]

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Steroid sparing agents:

  1. Anti-IgE for chronic asthma  [R] [s]
  2. Azathioprine as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthma  [R] [s]
  3. Colchicine as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthma  [R] [s]
  4. Chloroquine as a steroid sparing agent for asthma  [R] [s]
  5. Cyclosporin as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma  [R]
  6. Dapsone as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthma  [R]  [S]
  7. Gold as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma  [R]
  8. Intravenous immunoglobulin as a corticosteroid sparing agent for chronic asthma  [P]
  9. Methotrexate as a steroid sparing agent for asthma in adults  [R]
  10. Troleandomycin as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma  [R]
  11. Long-acting beta-2 agonists as an inhaled corticosteroid-sparing agent for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]

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Bronchodilator therapy:

  1. Anticholinergic agents for chronic asthma in adults  [R] [s]
  2. Inhaled long acting beta agonists for stable chronic asthma  [R] [s]
  3. Caffeine for asthma  [R]
  4. Inhaled short acting beta2-agonist use in chronic asthma: regular versus as needed treatment  [R]  [S]
  5. Long acting beta-agonists versus theophylline for maintenance treatment of asthma  [R]  [s]
  6. Anticholinergic drugs for wheeze in children under the age of two years  [R]
  7. Long-acting beta2-agonists as an inhaled corticosteroid-sparing agent for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  8. Regular treatment with long acting beta agonists versus daily regular treatment with short acting beta agonists in adults and children with stable asthma  [R]  [S]
  9. Pressurised metered dose inhalers versus all other hand-held inhaler devices to deliver beta-2 agonist bronchodilators for non-acute asthma  [R]
  10. Oral theophylline for stable asthma in adults  [P]
  11. Oral xanthines as maintenance treatment for asthma in children  [R]
  12. Short acting beta2-agonists for recurrent wheeze in children under two years of age  [R]
  13. Beta2-receptor polymorphism for improving long-term beta-agonist efficacy in asthma  [P]
  14. Long-acting beta2-agonists versus anti-leukotrienes as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  15. Anticholinergic therapy for chronic asthma in children over two years of age  [R]  [S]
  16. Addition of inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists to inhaled steroids as first line therapy for persistent asthma in steroid-naive adults  [R]
  17. Long-acting beta2-agonists for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [P]
  18. Regular treatment with formoterol for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [P] 

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Combined therapies:

  1. Addition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]  [s]
  2. Anti-leukotrienes versus long-acting beta2-agonists as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]
  3. Combined corticosteroid and long acting bronchodilator in one inhaler for chronic asthma  [P]
  4. Single inhalers containing corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator for chronic asthma in adults and children  [P]
  5. Anti-leukotriene agents compared to inhaled corticosteroids in the management of recurrent and/or chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]  [S]
  6. Long-acting beta2-agonists versus anti-leukotrienes as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]
  7. Addition of inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists to inhaled steroids as first line therapy for persistent asthma in steroid-naive adults  [R]
  8. Long-acting beta2-agonists versus placebo in addition to inhaled corticosteroids in children and adults with chronic asthma  [R]
  9. Combination of inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled steroids versus higher dose of inhaled steroids in children and adults with persistent asthma  [R]
  10. Regular treatment with formoterol and inhaled steroids for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [P]
  11. Regular treatment with salmeterol and inhaled steroids for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [P]
  12. Combination inhaled steroid and long-acting beta-agonist versus fast-acting beta agonist as relief medication for chronic asthma in adults and children  [P]

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Anti-leukotriene agents:

  1. Anti-leukotriene agents compared to inhaled corticosteroids in the management of recurrent and/or chronic asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]

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Delivery of drug treatments:

  1. Holding chambers versus nebulisers for inhaled steroids in chronic asthma  [R] [s]
  2. Nebulisers versus hand-held inhalers to deliver beta-2 agonist bronchodilator drugs in non-acute asthma  [P]
  3. Pressurised metered dose inhalers versus all other hand-held inhaler devices to deliver beta-2 agonist bronchodilators for non-acute asthma  [R]

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Prophylactic treatments:
  1. Inhaled corticosteroid prophylaxis for exercise induced bronchoconstriction  [R]
  2. Mast-cell stabilising agents to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction  [R]  [s]
  3. Short acting beta 2 agonists for exercise induced asthma  [P]
  4. Nedocromil sodium for preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction  [R]
  5. Nedocromil sodium versus sodium cromoglycate for preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics  [R]

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Other:

  1. Azoles for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis associated with asthma  [R] [s]
  2. Beta2-receptor polymorphism for improving long-term beta-agonist efficacy in asthma  [P]
  3. Cardioselective beta-blockers for reversible airway disease  [R]
  4. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide for assessing allergen responsiveness in asthma  [P]
  5. Ketotifen alone or as additional medication for long-term control of asthma and wheeze in children  [R]  [s]
  6. Macrolides for chronic asthma  [R]
  7. Oral theophylline for stable asthma in adults  [P]
  8. Oxatomide for stable asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]
  9. Phosphodiasterase III inhibitors for chronic asthma  [P]
  10. Phosphodiasterase IV inhibitors for chronic asthma  [P]
  11. Pneumococcal vaccine for asthma  [R]
  12. Vaccines for preventing influenza in people with asthma  [R] [s]
  13. Nedocromil sodium for preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction  [R]
  14. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate for asthma in children  [R]  [S]
  15. Nedocromil sodium for chronic asthma in children  [R]
  16. Tailored interventions based on exhaled nitric oxide versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults  [R]

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Chronic Asthma – 
Pharmacological management children only
Steroid therapy:
  1. Beclomethasone for asthma in children: effects on linear growth  [R]
  2. Inhaled steroids for episodic viral wheeze of childhood  [R]

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Bronchodilator therapy:

  1. Anticholinergic therapy for chronic asthma in children over two years of age  [R] [s]
  2. Anticholinergic drugs for wheeze in children under the age of two years  [R]
  3. Short acting beta agonists for recurrent wheeze in children under two years of age  [R]  
  4. Pressurised-metered dose inhalers versus other hand-held inhalation devices for the delivery of inhaled corticosteroid therapy in children with non-acute asthma  [P]

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Other:

  1. Inhaled nedocromil sodium for chronic asthma in children  [R]
  2. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate for asthma in children  [R] [s]
  3. Ketotifen alone or as additional medication for long-term control of asthma and wheeze in children  [R] [s]
  4. Oral xanthines as maintenance treatment of childhood asthma  [R]

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Last updated 12 Jun 2008

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