Sputum and Pulmonary Function in Asthma

Mucus hypersecretion in asthma is associated with rhinosinusitis, polyps and exacerbations

“…In both sexes, the presence of mucus hypersecretion and smoking was associated with a greater decline in FEV 1 . Connolly et al [12] in a cross-sectional study designed to assess the relevance of sputum production to pulmonary function found a prevalence of chronic sputum in a high percentage of non-smoking men (29%) and women (34%). In an analysis of cross-sectional data from 61 smokers and 59 never smokers with asthma, chronic mucus hypersecretion occurred in 56% and 20% of smokers and never smokers, respectively [26].…”

“…Clinical data of hypersecretion in asthma are heterogeneous. Mucus hypersecretion has not been the primary variable in some studies [7,12], while in others, the statistical power is limited by the small study population [10]. Also, different criteria have been used to assess mucus hypersecretion or to grade the quantity of sputum, ranging from the typical question 'Have you cough for at least 3 months in at least 2 consecutive years?'…”

“…Also, different criteria have been used to assess mucus hypersecretion or to grade the quantity of sputum, ranging from the typical question 'Have you cough for at least 3 months in at least 2 consecutive years?' used for the definition of chronic bronchitis [7,13,14] or to the presence of cough or of an increase in sputum [12]. On the other hand, coughing is not always accompanied by expectoration and variable quantities and patterns of sputum production may be present in asthma patients with hypersecretion.…”

The Darlington and Northallerton Long Term Asthma Study: pulmonary function

“…As the two types of inflammation need not be mutually exclusive, some asthmatics might have both types raising the possibility of an interaction between the two processes in some individuals, 'The Dutch Hypothesis' [13]. We have already shown that on cross sectional analysis green sputum, which is a feature of severity in COPD [14], is associated with diminished best function independent of smoking habit [15]. …”

A 15-Year Follow-up Study of Ventilatory Function in Adults with Asthma

“…30 Mucus hypersecretion is quite prevalent in people with asthma and could be regarded as an indicator of poor control of asthma and severe disease. 31,32 Although we are unaware of pathoanatomical studies linking airway inflammation in asthma with sputum production, such correlations have been reported in patients with chronic bronchitis. 33 The most important potential bias in our study concerns the classification of asthma.…”