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Diaphragm function in patients with asthma and healthy controls: A cross-sectional study
Andrea Portacci1, Ilaria Iorillo1, Vitaliano Nicola Quaranta1
1Institute of Respiratory Disease, Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
Respiratory Medicine
|February 20, 2025
Summary
Diaphragm dysfunction is common in asthma patients, impacting lung function and exercise tolerance. This study highlights impaired diaphragm function as a potential new target for asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Physiology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease marked by airway inflammation.
- Peripheral muscle deconditioning is known to impact lung function in asthma.
- The role of respiratory muscle dysfunction, specifically the diaphragm, is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare diaphragm function in asthma patients versus healthy controls.
- To identify potential differences in diaphragmatic contractility between the two groups.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, observational study involving 50 asthma patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Diaphragm contraction assessed using tidal breathing thickening fraction (TF); dysfunction defined as TF < 20%.
- Additional tests included spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS), FeNO, blood eosinophils, and Sniff Inspiratory Nasal Pressure (SNIP).
Main Results:
- Asthma patients exhibited significantly reduced diaphragm TF compared to controls (p < 0.0001).
- Diaphragm dysfunction was more prevalent in asthma, affecting 46-66% of hemidiaphragms.
- Reduced TF correlated with longer disease duration and higher exacerbation rates.
Conclusions:
- Diaphragm dysfunction is prevalent in asthma and linked to disease severity.
- Impaired diaphragm function may contribute to persistent asthma symptoms and exercise intolerance.
- Addressing diaphragm dysfunction could represent a novel therapeutic approach in asthma management.
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