Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are defined as signs and symptoms of disturbed perception, thought content, mood or behaviour. BPSD are very common regardless of the type of dementia and is present in nearly all people with dementia over the course of their illness. A local study conducted in 2013 found the prevalence of BPSD amongst the study population suffering from dementia to be 67.9 percent. BSPD are associated with major adverse effects on daily function and quality of life; significant financial cost, higher use of healthcare facilities; and premature institutionalization. Effective assessment and management of BPSD involves the understanding of how the interplay of various factors (persons with dementia, caregivers, and environment) may cause BPSD and that interventions must be tailored to each individual. The first line of management should always be non-pharmacological interventions where possible. The ultimate goal in treatment of BPSD is to alleviate suffering, reduce caregiver burden and lower societal costs in persons with dementia.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, for which the cornerstone of asthma therapy is inhaled corticosteroids. however, long term clinical outcomes are variable, and not all patients respond optimally to corticosteroids. Underpinning this observation is that asthma is a heterogeneous disease consisting of phenotypes that are driven by different inflammatory pathways. In this article, we will discuss the different inflammatory mechanisms of asthma to better define patient characteristics and help improve patient outcomes with newer specific-targeted asthma therapies.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, for which the cornerstone of asthma therapy is inhaled corticosteroids. however, long term clinical outcomes are variable, and not all patients respond optimally to corticosteroids. Underpinning this observation is that asthma is a heterogeneous disease consisting of phenotypes that are driven by different inflammatory pathways. In this article, we will discuss the different inflammatory mechanisms of asthma to better define patient characteristics and help improve patient outcomes with newer specific-targeted asthma therapies.