Health Survey for England

Source:  Information Centre

Follow this link for the full text  (chapter by chapter)

Date of publication:  December 2011

Publication type:  Report

In a nutshell:

Four chapters of the latest Health Survey for England cover respiratory health, including symptoms and lung function.

Length of publication: 4 chapters

Relationship Between Serum Vitamin D, Disease Severity and Airway Remodeling in Children with Asthma

Source:  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Published ahead of print on September 8, 2011, doi:10.1164/rccm.201107-1239OC

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication:  September 2011

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell: Researchers in London have been investigating vitamin D deficiency in children with severe, therapy-resistant asthma (STRA) and believe their study demonstrates that low levels of vitamin D are associated with poorer lung function, increased use of medication, worse symptoms, and an increase in the mass of airway smooth muscle in the 86 children they studied.  The research could eventually lead to the use of vitamin D supplementation in treatment-resistant asthma.

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.