Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
06:07
Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System
Published on: October 22, 2020
Smoking and asthma: dangerous liaisons
Riccardo Polosa1, Neil C Thomson
1Università di Catania, Catania, Italy. polosa@unict.it
The European Respiratory Journal
|August 21, 2012
Summary
Cigarette smoking significantly worsens asthma outcomes and control due to altered airway inflammation and corticosteroid insensitivity. Improved smoking cessation strategies and clinical trials including smokers are crucial for better asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Clinical Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cigarette smoking exacerbates asthma, negatively impacting clinical, prognostic, and therapeutic results.
- Asthma prevalence is similar in smokers and non-smokers, but smokers experience poorer asthma control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the harmful effects of smoking on asthma.
- To explore underlying inflammatory mechanisms and altered responses.
- To discuss management strategies and future therapeutic directions for smokers with asthma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent evidence on smoking and asthma.
- Analysis of inflammatory mechanisms and corticosteroid insensitivity.
- Evaluation of current management and smoking cessation strategies.
Main Results:
- Active smoking, especially in females, increases asthma risk.
- Smokers with asthma exhibit worse asthma control compared to non-smokers.
- Altered airway inflammation and corticosteroid insensitivity are key mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Smoking cessation improves asthma symptoms and lung function.
- Low smoking cessation rates necessitate enhanced management strategies.
- Clinical trials must include smokers to develop effective treatments for the asthma-smoking phenotype.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-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...
01:28Asthma 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...
01:24Asthma-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
Classification of Asthma
01:13Asthma 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,...
01:26Asthma-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:
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:
01:20Asthma: 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 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.