Less small airway dysfunction in asymptomatic bronchial hyperresponsiveness than in asthma

Abstract

Subjects with asymptomatic BHR may experience fewer symptoms in daily life because they have less small airway dysfunction.

Usefulness of impulse oscillometry for the assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness in mild-to-moderate adult asthma

“…12,13 In line with previous studies, 12 the authors found significant effects on small airway measurements (R5eR20) during standardized bronchial challenge testing. Small airway dysfunction within asthma is becoming recognized as a distinct clinical phenotype associated with poor asthma control.…”

Effects of formoterol or salmeterol on impulse oscillometry in patients with persistent asthma

“…24 In another study comparing asthmatic patients with and without symptoms who underwent a methacholine challenge, the symptomatic group exhibited a significantly greater change in R5-20 and AX values after challenge. 25 Our patients had stable mild-to-moderate persistent asthma, as reflected by the mean value of 0.76 for ACQ scores at initial screening, which is close to the 0.75 cutoff value for wellcontrolled disease. 19 The normal mean FENO value of 27 ppb at screening is indicative of the suppressive effects of ICSs at a mean beclomethasone-equivalent dose of 550 mg/d.…”

The case for impulse oscillometry in the management of asthma in children and adults

“…Patients with symptoms had worse PAW function (R5–R20 and X5) pre and post challenge in comparison to asymptomatic patients, with there being no difference in either R20 or FEV1, which primarily reflect the central airways (72) .…”