PT NAME: Sarah Jenkins
DOB: 12/03/1985
HOSP NO: SJ851234
WARD: Outpatient Clinic
PLAN:
* Continue current ICS/LABA therapy (Flutiform 250/10 mcg, 2 puffs BD).
* Initiate a 5-day course of oral prednisolone (30mg daily) due to recent exacerbation.
* Prescribe a new SABA inhaler (Salbutamol 100mcg/puff PRN) and provide refreshed inhaler technique training.
* Referral to pulmonary rehabilitation for breathing pattern disorder assessment and management.
* Discuss smoking cessation resources and nicotine replacement therapy options.
* Schedule a follow-up appointment in 4-6 weeks to review asthma control and treatment effectiveness.
WHEN AND WHERE WAS PT DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA:
Diagnosed in childhood at approximately 7 years old by a GP, confirmed by a paediatrician following recurrent wheezing episodes and nocturnal cough.
FAMILY HISTORY:
Maternal grandmother had asthma. Father had chronic bronchitis.
ARE THEY A SMOKER: YES
CIGARETTES, PIPE, CIGARS, TOBACCO: Cigarettes
HOW MANY A DAY: 10
HOW MANY YEARS?: 15
PACK YEARS: 7.5
PASSIVE SMOKER? EXPOSURE AS CHILD?: YES
- Exposed to parental smoking at home during childhood.
RECREATIONAL DRUG SMOKING: NO
ATOPY/ECZEMA: YES / History of childhood eczema, currently well-controlled with emollients.
MEDICATIONS/FOOD ALLERGIES:
No known drug allergies. No known food allergies.
OTC MEDICATIONS TAKEN:
- Paracetamol for occasional headaches.
- Ibuprofen for muscle pain, as needed.
ASTHMA TRIGGERS:
- Cold air
- Dust mites
- Pet dander (cats)
- Exercise
- Stress
ANIMALS/PETS AT HOME: YES / One cat, 'Whiskers'. Patient reports symptoms worsen after close contact.
FACTORS AT HOME AFFECTING CHEST: YES / Old carpet in bedroom, patient believes it exacerbates dust mite allergy.
OCCUPATIONAL FACTORS: NO
CURRENT/PREVIOUS JOBS:
Currently works as an office administrator. Previously worked in retail.
TIME TAKEN OFF WORK: YES / 3 days in the last month due to asthma exacerbation.
ANY EXERCISE ISSUES? WHAT IS EXERCISE TOLERANCE? WHEN OCCURRING? HOW LONG TO RESOLVE? DO THEY NEED RELIEVER MEDS? DO THEY HELP:
Reports exercise-induced asthma. Can walk briskly for about 10 minutes before experiencing shortness of breath and wheezing. Symptoms usually resolve within 15-20 minutes with rest. Requires SABA prior to exercise, which helps significantly.
SYMPTOMS SUGGESTIVE OF ILO – STRIDOR, UPPER CHEST TIGHTNESS, SWALLOWING/CHOKING PROBLEMS, SENSATION LUMP IN THROAT, LARYNGEAL SENSITIVITY, COUGH:
Reports occasional sensation of a lump in her throat during severe exacerbations, but no true stridor or swallowing difficulties.
BREATHING PATTERN DISORDER:
Reports occasional sighing and breath-holding, especially when stressed. Denies hyperventilation episodes.
DO THEY SNORE?: YES
EPISODES FALLING ASLEEP/FATIGUE?: YES
APNOEIC EPISODES?: NO
REFER OVERNIGHT OXIMETRY: YES
PRESENTING SYMPTOMS: Increased wheezing, shortness of breath, and nocturnal cough for the past 2 weeks, requiring increased SABA use.
COUGH: Persistent, dry cough, worse at night and with exertion. Occasionally productive of clear sputum during exacerbations.
PHLEGM: Clear, non-purulent, minimal.
WHEEZE/TIGHTNESS: Audible wheeze, significant chest tightness, especially on exhalation.
SOB:
Dyspnoea at rest during exacerbations, otherwise on exertion (modified MRC Grade 2).
ANY PEDAL OEDEMA/NOCTURNAL ORTHOPNOEA/DYSPNOEA, ANY SUGGESTION OF HF:
Denies pedal oedema, nocturnal orthopnoea, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea. No clinical signs suggestive of heart failure.
NASAL SYMPTOMS: YES
HOW LONG FOR? ANY PREVIOUS TREATMENTS TRIED? MOUTHBREATHER? BPD? PND? H/O POLYPS:
Chronic nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea for several years. Has tried over-the-counter antihistamines with some relief. Not a habitual mouth breather. Denies post-nasal drip. No history of nasal polyps.
SABA USE: 4-6 times daily in the last 2 weeks, normally 2-3 times per week.
IS IT EFFECTIVE WHEN TAKEN?: YES / Provides temporary relief for 2-3 hours.
ANY OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX: YES / Reports occasional heartburn, especially after large meals, but denies direct correlation with asthma symptoms.
MENTAL HEALTH: YES
- Reports increased stress and anxiety due to asthma symptoms affecting daily life. Referral to CBT considered.
HAVE THEY TRIED THINGS TO HELP AVOID/REDUCE TRIGGERS:
Regularly cleans to minimise dust, tries to avoid cat dander, uses a scarf in cold weather, but adherence varies.
ADMISSIONS OR ATTENDANCES TO A&E OR OOH SERVICES WITH EXACERBATION IN PRECEDING 12 MONTHS: YES
- One attendance to A&E 3 months ago, managed with nebulised salbutamol and oral steroids, discharged same day.
NUMBER OF ORAL PREDNISOLONE/ABX COURSES IN LAST 12 MONTHS: YES
- Two courses of oral prednisolone (one for A&E attendance, one for a community-managed exacerbation). No antibiotic courses in the last 12 months.
RESPONSE TO PREDNISOLONE?: YES / Significant improvement in symptoms within 24-48 hours.
CURRENT INHALERS/TREATMENTS:
- Flutiform 250/10 mcg (Fluticasone Propionate/Formoterol) 2 puffs twice daily.
- Salbutamol 100mcg/puff PRN.
CONCORDANCE WITH ICS IN 12/12 AS %: 70%
SPACER PRESCRIBED: YES
ICS: YES
ICS/LABA: YES
LAMA: NO
SABA: YES
LTRA: NO
MUCOLYTICS: NO
THEOPHYLLINES: NO
ANTIHISTAMINES: NO
COMPLIANCE: Patient admits to occasional skipping of regular inhaler doses, especially when feeling well.
INHALED STEROID REQUESTS IN LAST 12 MONTHS: 4
BRONCHODILATOR REQUESTS IN LAST 12 MONTHS: 6
PREVIOUS INHALERS/TREATMENTS TRIALLED:
Seretide (Fluticasone/Salmeterol) 250/50 mcg, discontinued due to patient preference for current inhaler.
INVESTIGATIONS
SPUTUM C&S DATES/RESULTS: 15/10/2024 - No significant bacterial growth. Negative for fungi.
ACQ6/7: ACQ7 score: 3.5 (poorly controlled)
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY: Childhood eczema, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
HRCT RESULT: Not performed.
BLOOD RESULTS – FBC/EOS LATEST: 28/10/2024 - FBC normal, Eosinophils: 0.5 x 10^9/L (elevated)
HIGHEST EOS LAST YR: 0.7 x 10^9/L (01/03/2024)
ANCA/CORTISOL: ANCA negative, AM Cortisol: 350 nmol/L (normal)
FENO – DATE & VALUES:
01/11/2024
- 1.PPB: 45 ppb
- 2.PPB: 42 ppb
- 3.PPB: 43 ppb
MIXED GRASS: YES
HDM: YES
TIM GRASS: NO
PEAK FLOW – BEST / 75% / 50%: Best: 450 L/min / 75%: 338 L/min / 50%: 225 L/min
ASP FUM/CHEST MOULDS: NO
SPIROMETRY RESULTS – DATE: 01/10/2024
FEV1 (L, %): 2.4 L (75% predicted)
FVC (L, %): 3.2 L (80% predicted)
RATIO (%): 75%
FEF 25–75%: 2.0 L/s (60% predicted)
TOTAL IgE: 150 kU/L
DIFF FAC%: Not available
CAT DANDER: YES
DOG DANDER: NO
OTHER INVESTIGATIONS:
Skin prick tests: Positive for house dust mite, cat dander, and mixed grass pollen.
HISTORY – OTHER IMMUNOLOGY BLOODS:
No other immunology bloods requested or performed.