First non-drug treatment improves asthma control
April 2007A global study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has found that a new procedure called bronchial thermoplasty can improve asthma control.
Bronchial thermoplasty is the first non-drug treatment for asthma, and can be delivered on an out-patient basis. It uses a system developed by the company Asthmatx to deliver thermal energy to the airway walls, reducing the amount of smooth muscle tissue which can contribute to airway constriction and breathing difficulties.
Asthma is one of the most common and costly diseases in the world, and there is no cure. There are up to 300 million sufferers worldwide, and the disease claimed 255,000 lives in 2005.
The study, led in Manchester by Dr Robert Niven of the North West Lung Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, showed improved asthma control a year after treatment compared to a control group. The patients experienced a decrease in attacks, increase in days with no symptoms, improvement in asthma-related quality of life and reduction in the use of reliever inhalers.
The randomised controlled trial included 112 patients aged of 18-65 at 11 centres in four countries. The procedure was performed under light sedation through a standard flexible bronchoscope, introduced through a patient’s nose or mouth into their lungs.
A small catheter was delivered through the bronchoscope, and its tip expanded to contact the walls of the targeted airways. Thermal energy was then delivered to reduce the presence of muscles that narrow the airways.
Immediately after the treatment there was an expected worsening of respiratory-related symptoms, but these resolved within an average of seven days with either no therapy or with standard medical care.
“These findings are very encouraging, and are consistent with earlier trial results on bronchial thermoplasty,” Robert said. “The results make us hopeful that bronchial thermoplasty may be a new option for patients who have asthma symptoms despite use of current drug therapies.”
A further clinical study of the procedure is currently recruiting, for more information please visit Asthmatx website
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