The role of the small airways in the clinical expression of asthma in adults - 03/02/12
, Gregory G. King, MBChB, PhD a, b, c, d, Nathan J. Brown, PhD a, b, c, Sue R. Downie, PhD a, b, c, Jessica A. Kermode, BSc (Hons1) a, b, c, Kate M. Hardaker, BSc a, b, c, Matthew J. Peters, MD b, e, Norbert Berend, MD a, b, c, Cheryl M. Salome, PhD a, b, c
Corresponding author: Claude S. Farah, MBBS, Airway Physiology Group, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, PO Box M77, Missenden Rd, NSW, 2050, Australia.Abstract |
Background |
The clinical relevance of increased ventilation heterogeneity, a marker of small-airways disease, in asthmatic patients is unclear. Ventilation heterogeneity is an independent determinant of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), improves with bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), and worsens during exacerbations, but its relationship to asthma control is unknown.
Objective |
We sought to determine the association between ventilation heterogeneity and current asthma control before and after ICS treatment.
Methods |
Adult subjects with asthma had lung function and asthma control (5-item Asthma Control Questionnaire [ACQ-5 score] ≥1.5 = poorly controlled, ACQ-5 score ≤0.75 = well controlled) measured at baseline. A subgroup with AHR had repeat measurements after 3 months of high-dose ICS treatment. The indices of ventilation heterogeneity in the regions of the lung where gas transport occurs predominantly through convection (ventilation heterogeneity in convection-dependent airways [Scond]) and through diffusion (ventilation heterogeneity in diffusion-dependent airways [Sacin]) were derived by using the multiple-breath nitrogen washout technique.
Results |
At baseline (n = 105), subjects with poorly controlled asthma had worse FEV1, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide measured at 200 mL/s (Feno), Scond, and Sacin values. In the treatment group (n = 50) spirometric, Feno, residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC), AHR, and Scond values significantly improved. Asthma control also improved (mean ACQ-5 score, 1.3-0.7; P < .0001). The change in ACQ-5 score correlated with changes in Feno (rs = 0.31, P = .03), Sacin (rs = 0.32, P = .02), and Scond (rs = 0.41, P = .003) values. The independent predictors of a change in asthma control were changes in Scond and Sacin values (model r2 = 0.20, P = .005).
Conclusions |
Current asthma control is associated with markers of small-airways disease. Improvements in ventilation heterogeneity with anti-inflammatory therapy are associated with improvements in symptoms. Sensitive measures of small-airway function might be useful in monitoring the response to therapy in asthmatic subjects.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Ventilation heterogeneity, small airways, asthma control, symptoms, inflammation, asthma, adults
Abbreviations used : ACQ-5, AHR, BDP-HFA, BMI, Feno, FVC, ICS, LABA, MBNW, RV, Sacin, Scond, TLC
Plan
| Supported by research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia and the Cooperative Research Centre for Asthma and Airways (CRCAA). Pharmaxis Ltd provided the mannitol kits for the bronchial challenge. |
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| Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: C. S. Farah has received honoraria from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis. G. G. King has received research support from the Cooperative Research Centre for Asthma, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and GlaxoSmithKline and has provided legal consultation/expert witness testimony for GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, and Boehringer Ingelheim. C. M. Salome has received research support from the Cooperative Research Centre for Asthma and Airways, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and GlaxoSmithKline. The rest of the authors declare that they have no relevant conflicts of interest. |
Vol 129 - N° 2
P. 381 - février 2012 Retour au numéro
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