Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
09:58

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice

Published on: April 13, 2010

Relationship between increased airway responsiveness and asthma severity in the childhood asthma management program

S T Weiss1, M L Van Natta, R S Zeiger

  • 1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Channing Laboratory, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. scott.weiss@channing.harvard.edu

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|July 21, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Increased airway responsiveness in children with asthma is linked to worse lung function, chronic symptoms, and greater severity. This finding helps understand asthma

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Asthma Research
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • The link between airway hyperresponsiveness and asthma severity in pediatric populations remains incompletely understood.
  • The Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) provides a valuable dataset for investigating this relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between airway responsiveness, measured by methacholine challenge (PC(20)), and various indicators of asthma severity in children.
  • To clarify the relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness and clinical outcomes in pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 1,041 children with mild to moderate asthma in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP).
  • Correlation of methacholine PC(20) values with lung function (FEV(1)), respiratory symptoms, asthma duration, and clinical severity assessments.

Main Results:

  • Decreased PC(20) (indicating higher responsiveness) was significantly associated with lower prebronchodilator FEV(1) (r = 0.29).
  • Increased airway responsiveness correlated with chronic asthma symptoms, persistent wheezing (OR = 1.66), and higher clinical staff-assessed asthma severity (p < 0.001).
  • A longer duration of asthma was also linked to increased airway responsiveness (r = -0.11).

Conclusions:

  • Airway responsiveness is a significant factor associated with multiple indicators of asthma severity in children.
  • These findings underscore the importance of assessing airway responsiveness in managing pediatric asthma.

More Related Videos

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma08:05

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma

Published on: May 14, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...