Attenuation of the metabisulfite-induced bronchoconstrictive response by pretreatment with cromolyn

In a retrospective analysis of 1,544 patients who underwent provocative challenge with metabisulfite at the National Jewish Center between 1983 and 1987, an abnormal airway response to metabisulfite was found in 52 patients, an incidence of 3.4 percent. There was no relationship between this abnormal airway responsiveness to metabisulfite and the degree of airway obstruction present, or the degree of airway reactivity as assessed by the response to inhaled bronchodilator or exercise testing. In a pilot study, we found that the administration of cromolyn sodium prior to metabisulfite challenge markedly attenuated the abnormal bronchoconstrictive response in nine of ten patients. We conclude that a metabisulfite-induced bronchoconstrictive response cannot be predicted on the basis of the degree of airway obstruction or airway reactivity and that pretreatment with cromolyn sodium may attenuate the abnormal response.