Deck 40: Epidemiology of Asthma

Question 1

More than 300 million people suffer from asthma in the world population.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Asthma causes approximately 400,000 deaths per year, many of which are due to suboptimal long-term medical care and lack of access to emergency services during the final attack of status asthmaticus.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

In the asthmatic patient, spirometry testing classically reveals that lung dysfunction is not reversed by administration of a short-acting beta-agonist such as albuterol.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Strachan's hygiene hypothesis states that exposure of younger children to infectious agents already contracted by older children in the family confers protection against the development of allergic conditions such as eczema, hay fever, and asthma.

Question 5

Atopy refers to the production of specific antibodies belonging to the IgE class of immunoglobulins in response to common environmental allergens.

Question 6

Childhood asthma constitutes more than two thirds of all cases in most populations surveyed.

Question 7

Infection by respiratory syncytial viruses and/or rhinoviruses have been found to increase the risk of asthma development in children.

Question 8

Environmental tobacco smoke is not a significant risk factor for asthma development in children.

Question 9

Obesity is a risk factor for asthma development in children but not adults.

Question 10

Specific food allergies (e.g., milk, eggs, and peanuts) increase the risk of developing childhood asthma.

Question 11

Which of the following chronic diseases shows a decline in prevalence during the human lifespan?

A) Emphysema
B) Chronic bronchitis
C) Asthma
D) Mental illness

Question 12

The diagnosis of asthma is confirmed by lung spirometry when lung dysfunction is partially reversed by administration of what drug?

A) Estrogen
B) Testosterone
C) Albuterol
D) Aspirin

Question 13

Approximately what fraction of asthma cases are diagnosed in children?

A) One fourth
B) One third
C) One half
D) Two thirds

Question 14

Risk factors for childhood asthma include all of the following except:

A) food allergies.
B) chronic exposure to tobacco smoke.
C) obesity.
D) infectious mononucleosis.

Question 15

The relative risk of asthma in individuals with five or more allergic reactions to common allergens by the skin prick test is approximately:

A) 2.
B) 5.
C) 10.
D) 20.

Question 16

Risk factors for adult onset asthma include all of the following except:

A) occupational allergens.
B) aspirin sensitivity.
C) obesity.
D) immunization history.

Question 17

What ubiquitous substance present in the cell walls of mold, fungi, cockroaches, and other arthropods stimulates severe atopic reactions in some individuals?

A) Collagen
B) Chitin
C) Cholesterol
D) Amyloid

Question 18

What term best describes genetic predisposition to asthma?

A) Pleiotropic
B) Autosomal dominant
C) Autosomal recessive
D) Polygenic

Question 19

Discuss the pathogenesis of asthma.

Question 20

Discuss the global burden of asthma.

Question 21

Discuss the findings of Strachan and the hygiene hypothesis of asthma.

Question 22

Discuss skin reactions to common allergens and asthmatic risk.

Question 23

Discuss effects of environmental tobacco smoke in asthmatic children.

Question 24

Discuss key findings from studies of obesity and asthma in children and adults.

Question 25

Describe specific infectious agents that increase the risk of asthma development in children.

Question 26

Discuss strategies for the prevention, control, and therapy of asthma.