Both accidental and intentional non-adherence with controller therapy is common among adult asthmatics. The reasons for suboptimal adherence seem to be accessible through education of both patients and caregivers.

The concentration of house-dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) was investigated in 96 Danish homes with one or more members suffering from asthma. The air-exchange rates, humidity, and temperature were measured in all the homes. A positive correlation was found between indoor air humidity and mite concentration (P < 0.01), and an inverse correlation (P = 0.027) between house-dust mite concentration and indoor air-exchange was found. Homes of mite-allergic persons had a higher concentration of house-dust mites than did those of the non-mite-allergic group. House-dust mite concentration was above the proposed limit of 10 mites/0.1 g dust in 76% of the homes of persons allergic to mites and in 48% of the homes of nonsensitive persons. The high proportion of homes infested with house-dust mites suggests an increased prevalence of house-dust mites in Danish homes. The results support the concept that reduced ventilation in homes involves a risk of increased house-dust mite exposure.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether vapors of organic solvents at low concentrations could exert an adverse effect in the lower airways. Under controlled conditions in a climate chamber, 11 persons with bronchial hyperreactivity to histamine and bronchial asthma were exposed for 90 min to a mixture of organic solvents at levels of zero, 2.5, and 25 mg/m3. During exposure to 25 mg/m3 a decrease in FEV1 to 90.7% of baseline value was measured. This was significantly different from the initial value (p less than 0.05), but not significantly different from the value found after sham exposure (FEV1, 97.4% of initial value). The decline in FEV1 during exposure to 25 mg/m3 was most pronounced in persons with high bronchial sensitivity. No changes were found in histamine reactivity after exposure, and no late reactions were registered. Ratings of discomfort showed different individual patterns ranging from no response to reactions towards both of the concentrations. The ratings indicated development of tolerance during exposure. Volatile organic compounds in concentrations found in both the work and the home environments may influence lung function and are probably of importance as bronchial irritants.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate a method for calculating arterial values of pH, carbon dioxide tension (PCO 2 ) and oxygen tension (PO 2 ) from peripheral venous values.In total, 40 patients were studied. Arterial and peripheral venous blood were sampled at a department of respiratory diseases. Arterial values were calculated from venous, and measured and calculated values of arterial pH, PCO 2 and PO 2 were compared.Measured and calculated values of pH and PCO 2 correlated well, with the difference between them having a very small bias and standard deviation (pH -0.001¡0.013, PCO 2 -0.09¡0.28 kPa) within those considered acceptable for laboratory equipment and clinical practice. All but four patients had peripheral oxygen saturation (Sp,O 2 ) f96%, and for these measured and calculated PO 2 correlated well, with a difference such that the bias and standard deviation suggested that calculated PO 2 may be clinically useful (PO 2 0.11¡0.53 kPa).The present study evaluates a method for calculating arterial pH, carbon dioxide tension and oxygen tension from venous blood. It has been shown that arterial pH and carbon dioxide tension can be calculated precisely, and that oxygen tension can be calculated with reasonable precision in the vast majority of patients. This method might be useful in reducing the need for painful arterial punctures.

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