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Asthma reviews by topic

Issue 7, 2010 of The Cochrane Library included 3 reviews and no protocols 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. Indigenous healthcare worker involvement for Indigenous adults and children with asthma  [R]
  3. Interventions to improve management and health outcomes for children and adults with asthma who present to the emergency department  [P]
  4. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to severe acute exacerbations of asthma  [R]  [S]
  5. Oxygen versus air for nebulising beta-agonist bronchodilators in acute asthma  [P]
  6. Remediating buildings damaged by dampness and mould for preventing respiratory tract symptoms, infections and asthma  [P]
  7. Workplace interventions for treatment of occupational asthma  [P]
  8. Written emotional disclosure for asthma  [P]

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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. Commercial versus home-made spacers in delivering bronchodilator therapy for acute therapy in children  [R]
  4. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate for asthma in children  [R]
  5. Intravenous aminophylline for acute severe asthma in children over two years receiving inhaled bronchodilators  [R]

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Other: 

  1. Mono and multifaceted inhalant and/or food allergen reduction interventions for preventing asthma in children at high risk of developing asthma  [R]

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Acute Asthma – Pharmacological therapy in adults and children Corticosteroid Therapy: 
  1. Azathioprine as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent for asthma  [R]
  2. Corticosteroids for acute severe asthma in hospitalised patients  [R]
  3. Corticosteroids for preventing relapse following acute exacerbations of asthma  [R]
  4. Early emergency department treatment of acute asthma with systemic corticosteroids  [R]
  5. Early use of inhaled corticosteroids in the emergency department treatment of acute asthma  [R]  [s]
  6. Inhaled steroids for acute asthma following emergency department discharge  [R]
  7. Oral and systemic steroids at different doses for acute asthma in hospitalised children  [P]
  8. 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. Addition of long-acting beta2-agonists to inhaled corticosteroids versus same dose inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  3. Continuous versus intermittent beta-agonists for acute asthma  [R] [s]
  4. Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta-agonist treatment of acute asthma  [R]  [S]
  5. Inhaled beta2-agonist and anticholinergic agents for emergency management of asthma in adults  [P]
  6. Inhaled beta2-agonists for asthma in mechanically ventilated patients  [R]
  7. Intravenous beta2-agonists for acute asthma in the emergency department   [R]

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Delivery of therapy:

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

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Other:

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

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

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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. Culture-specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma  [R]
  2. Educational interventions for asthma in children  [R] [s]
  3. Home-based educational interventions for children with asthma  [P]
  4. Interventions for educating children who are at risk of asthma-related emergency department attendance  [R]
  5. Limited (information only) patient education programs for adults with asthma  [R]
  6. Options for self-management education for adults with asthma  [R] [s]
  7. Primary care based clinics for asthma  [R]
  8. School-based self-management educational interventions for asthma in children and adolescents  [P]
  9. Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma  [R] [s]
  10. Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults  [R]
  11. Written individualised management plans for asthma in children and adults  [R]  [S]

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Psychotherapy:

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

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Dietary supplementation/modifications:

  1. Calorie controlled diet for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  2. Cow's milk protein avoidance and development of childhood wheeze in children with a family history of atopy  [R]
  3. Dietary marine fatty acids (fish oil) for asthma in adults and children  [R]
  4. Dietary salt reduction or exclusion for allergic asthma  [R] [s]
  5. Monosodium glutamate avoidance for chronic asthma in adults and children  [P]
  6. Selenium supplementation for asthma  [R] [s]
  7. Tartrazine exclusion for allergic asthma  [R]
  8. 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. Acupuncture for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  2. Alexander technique for chronic asthma  [R]
  3. Allergen immunotherapy for asthma  [R] [s]
  4. Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  5. Homeopathy for chronic asthma  [R] [s]
  6. Speleotherapy for asthma  [R]
Other
  1. Chronic disease management programs for adults with asthma  [P]
  2. 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. Beclomethasone at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  2. Beclomethasone versus budesonide for chronic asthma  [R]
  3. Beclomethasone versus placebo for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  4. Budesonide at different doses for chronic asthma  [R]
  5. Budesonide versus placebo for chronic asthma in children and adults  [R]
  6. Ciclesonide versus other inhaled steroids for chronic asthma in children and adults  [R]
  7. Ciclesonide versus placebo for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  8. Fluticasone at different doses for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  9. Fluticasone versus beclomethasone or budesonide for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]
  10. Fluticasone versus 'extrafine' HFA-beclomethasone dipropionate for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  11. Fluticasone versus placebo for chronic asthma in adults and children [R] 
  12. High dose versus low dose inhaled corticosteroid as initial starting dose for asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]
  13. Increased versus stable doses of inhaled steroids for exacerbations of chronic asthma in adults and children  [P]
  14. Inhaled corticosteroid effects on bone metabolism in asthma and mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  [R]
  15. Inhaled corticosteroids versus sodium cromoglycate in children and adults with asthma  [R]
  16. Inhaled steroids for episodic viral wheeze of childhood  [R]
  17. Inhaled versus oral steroids for adults with chronic asthma  [R]
  18. Intranasal corticosteroids for asthma control in people with coexisting asthma and rhinitis  [R] [s]
  19. Mometasone for asthma in adults and children  [P]

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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. Chloroquine as a steroid sparing agent for asthma  [R] [s]
  4. Colchicine as an oral corticosteroid 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. Long-acting beta-2 agonists as an inhaled corticosteroid-sparing agent for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  9. Methotrexate as a steroid sparing agent for asthma in adults  [R]
  10. Troleandomycin as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma  [R]

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Bronchodilator therapy:

  1. Addition of inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists to inhaled steroids as first line therapy for persistent asthma in steroid-naive adults and children  [R]
  2. Anticholinergic agents for chronic asthma in adults  [R] [s]
  3. Anticholinergic drugs for wheeze in children under the age of two years  [R]
  4. Anticholinergic therapy for chronic asthma in children over two years of age  [R]  [S]
  5. Caffeine for asthma  [R]
  6. Inhaled beta2-agonists for asthma in mechanically ventilated patients  [R]
  7. Inhaled short acting beta2-agonist use in chronic asthma: regular versus as needed treatment  [R]  [S]
  8. Long-acting beta2-agonists for chronic asthma in adults and children where background therapy contains varied or no inhaled corticosteroid [R] [s]
  9. Long-acting beta2-agonists as an inhaled corticosteroid-sparing agent for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  10. Long-acting beta2-agonists versus anti-leukotrienes as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]  [S]
  11. Long acting beta2-agonists versus theophylline for maintenance treatment of asthma  [R]  [s]
  12. Oral xanthines as maintenance treatment for asthma in children  [R]
  13. Pressurised metered dose inhalers versus all other hand-held inhaler devices to deliver beta-2 agonist bronchodilators for non-acute asthma  [R]
  14. Regular treatment with formoterol and an inhaled corticosteroid versus regular treatment with salmeterol and an inhaled corticosteroid for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R]
  15. Regular treatment with formoterol for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R] 
  16. Regular treatment with formoterol versus regular treatment with salmeterol for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R]
  17. 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]
  18. Regular treatment with salmeterol for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R]
  19. Short acting beta2-agonists for recurrent wheeze in children under two years of age  [R]

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Combined therapies:

  1. Addition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]  [s]
  2. Addition of long-acting beta2-agonists to inhaled steroids as first line therapy for persistent asthma in steroid-naive adults and children  [R]
  3. Addition of long-acting beta2-agonists to inhaled steroids versus higher dose inhaled steroids in adults and children with persistent asthma  [R]  
  4. Antihistamines used in addition to topical nasal steroids for intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis in children  [R]
  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. Combination fluticasone and salmeterol versus fixed dose combination budesonide and formoterol for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  8. Combination formoterol and budesonide as maintenance and reliever therapy versus inhaled steroid maintenance for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  9. Combination formoterol and inhaled steroid versus beta2-agonist as relief medication for chronic asthma in adults and children  [R]
  10. Combination inhaled steroid and long-acting beta-agonist versus fast-acting beta agonist as relief medication for chronic asthma in adults and children  [P]
  11. Combined corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist in one inhaler for chronic asthma  [P]
  12. Long-acting beta2-agonists versus anti-leukotrienes as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma  [R]
  13. Regular treatment with formoterol and an inhaled corticosteroid versus regular treatment with salmeterol and an inhaled corticosteroid for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R]
  14. Regular treatment with formoterol and inhaled steroids for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R]
  15. Regular treatment with salmeterol and inhaled steroids for chronic asthma: serious adverse events  [R]

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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. Beta-2 agonists for exercise induced asthma  [P]
  2. Inhaled corticosteroids compared to placebo for prevention of exercise induced bronchoconstriction   [R]
  3. Mast-cell stabilising agents to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction  [R]  [s]
  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. Cardioselective beta-blockers for reversible airway disease  [R]
  3. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate for asthma in children  [R]  [S]
  4. Ketotifen alone or as additional medication for long-term control of asthma and wheeze in children  [R]  [s]
  5. Macrolides for chronic asthma  [R]
  6. Nedocromil sodium for chronic asthma in children  [R]
  7. Nedocromil sodium for preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction  [R]
  8. Oxatomide for stable asthma in adults and children  [R] [s]
  9. Phosphodiasterase III inhibitors for chronic asthma  [P]
  10. Pneumococcal vaccine for asthma  [R]
  11. Tailored interventions based on exhaled nitric oxide versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults  [R]
  12. Vaccines for preventing influenza in people with asthma  [R] [s]

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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. Addition of long-acting beta-agonists to inhaled corticosteroids for chronic asthma in children  [R]
  2. Anticholinergic therapy for chronic asthma in children over two years of age  [R] [s]
  3. Anticholinergic drugs for wheeze in children under the age of two years  [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]
  5. Short acting beta2-agonists for recurrent wheeze in children under two years of age  [R]  

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Other:

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

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Last updated 19 Jul 2010

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