Predictive factors for airway hyperresponsiveness in children with respiratory symptoms

Asthma diagnosis is a challenging condition, particularly in patients without obstructive pattern and reversibility on spirometry. Determination of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) may be helpful, but the procedure is time-consuming and not always practical.

To determine the potential factors that may predict the presence of AHR in children with asthmalike symptoms but without obstructive pattern and reversibility on spirometry.

All patients with asthmalike symptoms but without obstructive pattern and reversibility on spirometry were analyzed retrospectively between January 9, 2007, and December 30, 2009. The features of clinical history and laboratory results were analyzed with univariate and multivariate regression analysis.

A total of 111 children between 6 and 18 years of age, with a median age of 10.2 years, were analyzed, and AHR was detected in 67 patients (60.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed coexistence of nocturnal cough and exercise-induced cough (odds ratio [OR], 22.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-159.2; P = .004), eosinophilia (OR, 18.7; 95% CI, 1.9-178.7; P = .01), and borderline bronchodilator response in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (between 7% and 11%) (OR, 10.1; 95% CI, 2.1-49.1; P = .004) as significant risk factors for the presence of AHR, whereas exercise-induced dyspnea was found to be related to the absence of AHR (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8; P = .02).

In children with asthmalike symptoms but with normal spirometry, certain features of clinical history and laboratory results can strongly predict the presence of AHR and may help less frequent use of challenge tests.