Asthma and Respiratory / Sleep Disorders Track

Biologic therapy is increasingly important in the armamentarium of the allergist/immunologist. New biologics have been approved for treatment of severe asthma and new indications are being investigated including CRS and food allergy.

Moderators: Jay A. Lieberman, MD, FACAAI, and William C. Anderson, MD

Despite advances in pharmaceutical management of asthma, patients continue to have high frequency of healthcare utilization due to poor control of asthma symptoms and frequent exacerbations. Many factors are thought to contribute to this, with poor adherence to medical treatment felt to be a major factor. Adherence to asthma medications has historically been very poor, particularly with inhaled medications. Also, poor recognition of symptoms has frequently been found in a subset of patients with chronic asthma, leading to poor outcomes. Digital technology has the opportunity to address many of these issues. Mobile apps are being developed specifically for patients with asthma, including both educational and self- and remote-monitoring functions. New inhalers are being developed that contain chips to provide real-time feedback at the time of use. Digital technology has the opportunity to reduce health and social inequities incurred by the disease.

Moderators: Jared Darveaux, MD, and Mark C. Stahl, DO, FACAAI

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and our specialty is encountering both diagnosed and undiagnosed COPD patients at an increased rate. Allergy/immunology specialists are in a unique position to be at the forefront of COPD care, including evaluating potential immune deficiencies in this patient population. In addition, many patients may have asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), and there is still considerable debate in the medical community regarding the exact diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Moderators: Anil Nanda, MD, FACAAI, and Michael B. Foggs, MD, FACAAI

Cough is one of the most common symptoms of patients seen by allergist/immunologists. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to cough is paramount. A new paradigm has emerged of patients with cough (neural) hypersensitivity that does not respond to asthma, rhinitis and/or GERD therapy. Allergists need to understand the different therapeutic agents and their mechanisms of action in all stages of cough.

Moderators: Jeremy S. Katcher, MD, FACAAI, and J. Wesley Sublett, MD, MPH, FACAAI

Pediatric asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. There is a continued need to understand best practices to improve the care of these children. Understanding how the environment plays a role in pediatric asthma is a key in providing better control of our patients. How does climate change effect pediatric asthma? How can we improve the indoor environment to decrease flare-ups of pediatric asthma? Biologics are playing a major role in severe asthma in adults but where do they play a role in children with asthma. What are the benefits and risks in the pediatric population. What are the new biologics we may see in children? With the Asthma Controller Step Down Yardstick in Pediatric Asthma, how does an allergist decrease medications in asthma in the pediatric population? When is it safe to decrease controller treatments, and how do you monitor the child after you decrease it?

Moderators: William C. Anderson, MD, and Alan Goldsobel, MD, FACAAI

The advent of targeted therapies and further understanding of the microbiome offer exciting opportunities for new approaches to patients with asthma and allergic conditions. However, knowledge gaps continue to exist. This session will review what we've learned, what we have yet to learn and, most importantly, what can be implemented now.

Moderator: Mark L. Corbett, MD, FACAAI

Limit 40. Seats available on first-come, first-served basis.

An interactive PBL presentation of an older asthmatic patient with poor adherence to asthma medication and inadequate communication will be presented. These are critical problems in asthma care in the older patient because they contribute poor asthma to morbidity and mortality through poor control, frequent asthma exacerbations, acute care visits and oral corticosteroid usage. The elderly asthmatic is particularly vulnerable and needs a shared decision-making to improve adherence. To improve patient adherence in the older asthmatic, clinicians need to consider a variety of factors and implement strategies directly targeting underlying issues that may be specific to the older patient. Strategies will be discussed, including customizing and simplifying learning and intervention regimes, identifying barriers to adherence and addressing them, ensuring patient support structures are in place and improving self-efficacy and health literacy through shared decision-making.

Moderators: Ray S. Davis, MD, FACAAI