Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
10:21
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
547
Alpha-1 Asthma Overlap Syndrome: a Clinical Overview
Manuel Izquierdo1, Himanshu Rawal2, Michael Armstrong3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Section On Pulmonary, Critical Care, Immunologic, and Asthma Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA. mizquier@wakehealth.edu.
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|May 20, 2022
Summary
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and asthma share overlapping symptoms, complicating diagnosis. Understanding this AATD-asthma overlap syndrome is crucial for effective management and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a common genetic disorder often underdiagnosed.
- Pulmonary symptoms like cough, dyspnea, and wheezing are common in both AATD and asthma.
- Significant symptom overlap complicates the differentiation between AATD and asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of AATD and asthma.
- To explore the potential overlap syndrome between AATD and asthma.
- To discuss the diagnostic challenges and management strategies for this overlap.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on AATD and asthma.
- Analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms linking AATD and asthma.
- Synthesis of clinical presentations and treatment options.
Main Results:
- A hypothesized association between asthma and AATD exists due to protease-antiprotease imbalance.
- This imbalance may lead to a pro-inflammatory state contributing to airway disease.
- An overlap syndrome, AATD-asthma, is increasingly recognized in clinical practice.
Conclusions:
- The AATD-asthma overlap syndrome presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and optimize management.
- Early recognition and targeted treatment are essential for improving patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
582
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
582
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
3.1K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Inflammation
3.1K
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
2.9K
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:
2.9K
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
3.0K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
3.0K
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
656
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.
656
01:30Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
302
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
302