World Asthma Day 2022

On World Asthma Day is celebrated on May 3, 2022.

Every year, World Asthma Day is celebrated internationally in the month of May, to increase the population’s awareness of the importance of this respiratory disease.

Over the years, the Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP) has developed research that aims to contribute to improving the care provided to individuals with asthma or suspected of having it.

Here are some of the articles published:

Cost-effectiveness analysis of house dust mite allergen immunotherapy in children with allergic asthma

In this research, published in the journal Allergy, the researchers sought to understand whether immunotherapy with house dust mite allergens was cost-effective in children with allergic asthma.

Allergen immunotherapy for asthma prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized controlled studies

In this study, published in the journal Allergy, the authors assessed whether immunotherapy, also known as an anti-allergic vaccine, or allergy shot, helped prevent the progression of allergic diseases and the development of asthma in children with sensitivity to allergens such as pollen and dust mites.

Association between the density and type of trees around urban schools and exhaled nitric oxide levels in schoolchildren

This research, published in the European Annals of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, looked at whether the density and type of trees around schools affected children’s airway inflammation, which is associated with symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dry cough and wheezing.

Human volatilome analysis using eNose to assess uncontrolled asthma in a clinical setting

In this article, published in the journal Allergy, the researchers tried to test the effectiveness of the electronic nose in detecting differences between the exhaled air in people with symptoms suggestive of asthma. Basically, they wanted to understand if the device was able to distinguish differences in exhaled air between people with more symptoms suggestive of asthma and those who reported fewer symptoms.

Development and validation of exhaled breath condensate microRNAs to identify and endotype asthma in children

The research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, sought to identify potential biomarkers in exhaled air condensate, so-called microRNAs, to help diagnose and endotype asthma in school children.

Exposure to indoor endocrine-disrupting chemicals and childhood asthma and obesity

This paper, published in the journal Allergy, sought to understand whether the presence of endocrine disruptors in indoor air in schools could lead to the development of asthma, respiratory symptoms, and obesity in children.

The AlergiaPT project

In addition to several publications in the field of asthma, ISPUP launched in 2021, the project AlergiaPT, which aims to inspire the Portuguese with allergies to have a more positive attitude towards life, through a campaign based on social networks.

One of the objectives of the project, which is coordinated by the ISPUP researcher André Moreira, is to promote tolerance to allergies and foster a positive attitude towards allergies and asthma.

AlergiaPT was chosen as one of the winners of the This is Public Health (TIPH) Global Grant Program, the funding program created by the International Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, which rewards initiatives related to the dissemination and promotion of the importance of public health.

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