[Nonspecific bronchial response in asymptomatic female smokers and nonsmokers]

In 20 female smokers aged 21-58 yrs and 20 nonsmokers aged 22-48 yrs the effect of smoking on bronchial responsiveness was studied. In the study only those subjects were included who had no asthma and who had been without symptoms of any of the pulmonary disease and they had normal mean values of pulmonary function testing. In no subject the increase of bronchial responsiveness after maximal dose of 4 mg of metacholine was found. Since the statements in the literature are contradictory, further studies are necessary in order to clear up the effect of smoking on bronchial responsiveness.