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Effect of mild hypoxemia on bronchial responsiveness
W M Alberts1, G C Colice, M D Hammond
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa.
Annals of Allergy
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Mild hypoxemia does not significantly alter baseline lung function or airway hyperresponsiveness in individuals with mild asthma. This finding suggests hypoxemia is not a major factor in asthma control.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Nonspecific bronchial responsiveness can be affected by various stimuli.
- Hypoxemia is a potential stimulus with clinical relevance in respiratory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of mild hypoxemia on baseline pulmonary function.
- To assess the effect of mild hypoxemia on bronchial responsiveness in mild asthma.
Main Methods:
- 13 subjects (8 mild asthma, 5 normal) underwent spirometry and methacholine challenge.
- Testing was performed under normoxic (room air) and mild hypoxemic (90% arterial saturation) conditions.
- Bronchial responsiveness was measured by the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20FEV1).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in baseline spirometry were observed between room air and mild hypoxemia.
- Mild hypoxemia did not significantly alter bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in asthmatic subjects.
- The PC20FEV1 values under hypoxemic and room air conditions were not statistically different.
Conclusions:
- Mild hypoxemia does not significantly impact baseline spirometry.
- Mild hypoxemia does not significantly affect airway hyperresponsiveness in individuals with mild asthma.
- These findings suggest that mild hypoxemia is unlikely to be a primary driver of altered bronchial responsiveness in mild asthma.