How many patients with asthma in your clinical practice also have allergies? The actual number may surprise you. Based on results of a recent surveillance study conducted by the Respiratory & Allergic Disease Foundation (RAD), many pulmonologists underestimate the number of patients in their practice who have persistent asthma with underlying allergy-IgE–mediated disease. Despite an understanding of the role played by allergen-specific IgE on airway inflammation, less than half of all pulmonologists surveyed by RAD conduct allergy testing in their patients with chronic persistent asthma, contrary to recommendations of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR-3). The EPR-3 recognizes allergy and IgE as major contributors to persistent asthma and poor health outcomes, and outlines specific recommendations for evaluating their potential role in patients with asthma.

 

To address the disparity between clinician practices concerning IgE-driven processes in asthma and recommendations of EPR-3 guidelines, RAD has developed a comprehensive initiative for pulmonologists comprising several learning activities. Each activity aims to educate clinicians on ways to identify and treat IgE-mediated asthma in accordance with EPR-3 guidelines.

 

	How Do the Pieces Fit? Atopy, Asthma, and Clinical Practice Click here to access CEnow
	An Asthma Exchange With the Experts Click here to access podcast
	Practical Strategies for Managing IgE-Mediated Asthma: A Pulmonologist Airs His Opinion Click here to access podcast