Related Experiment Videos
Questionnaire responses that predict airway response to hypertonic saline
Jorg D Leuppi1, Sandra D Anderson, John D Brannan
1Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|March 9, 2005
Summary
Asthma symptoms, like nighttime bronchodilator use, can predict airway hyperresponsiveness to hypertonic saline (HS). This finding may help identify asthma severity and guide treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Airway hyperresponsiveness to hypertonic saline (HS) is linked to airway inflammation in asthma.
- Investigating the predictive value of recent asthma symptoms for HS responsiveness is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if asthma symptoms reported in the last three months can estimate airway responsiveness to hypertonic saline (HS).
Main Methods:
- Six hundred and four asthma patients underwent bronchial provocation with 4.5% saline.
- A questionnaire assessed asthma symptoms, triggers, and medication use.
- Response to HS was measured by the provoking dose (PD(15)) and response-dose ratio (RDR).
Main Results:
- A PD(15) to 4.5% saline was observed in 234 out of 604 patients.
- Asthma self-recognition, dust/food triggers, and bronchodilator use predicted PD(15).
- Nighttime bronchodilator use, dust/cat triggers, and asthma severity self-recognition predicted an increased RDR.
Conclusions:
- Nighttime bronchodilator use may predict airway hyperresponsiveness to HS.
- This symptom could also indicate increased asthma severity.
- HS responsiveness can be estimated by specific asthma symptom questionnaires.