1
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Siebeneichler AS, Schumann DM, Karakioulaki M, Brachsler N, Darie AM, Grize L, Heck TG, Tamm M, Latzin P, Stolz D. Single and multiple breath nitrogen washout compared with the methacholine test in patients with suspected asthma and normal spirometry. BMJ Open Respir Res 2024; 11:e001919. [PMID: 38697675 PMCID: PMC11086282 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methods used to assess ventilation heterogeneity through inert gas washout have been standardised and showed high sensitivity in diagnosing many respiratory diseases. We hypothesised that nitrogen single or multiple breath washout tests, respectively nitrogen single breath washout (N2SBW) and nitrogen multiple breath washout (N2MBW), may be pathological in patients with clinical suspicion of asthma but normal spirometry. Our aim was to assess whether N2SBW and N2MBW are associated with methacholine challenge test (MCT) results in this population. We also postulated that an alteration in SIII at N2SBW could be detected before the 20% fall of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) in MCT. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This prospective, observational, single-centre study included patients with suspicion of asthma with normal spirometry. Patients completed questionnaires on symptoms and health-related quality-of-life and underwent the following lung function tests: N2SBW (SIII), N2MBW (Lung clearance index (LCI), Scond, Sacin), MCT (FEV1 and sGeff) as well as N2SBW between each methacholine dose. RESULTS 182 patients were screened and 106 were included in the study, with mean age of 41.8±14 years. The majority were never-smokers (58%) and women (61%). MCT was abnormal in 48% of participants, N2SBW was pathological in 10.6% at baseline and N2MBW abnormality ranged widely (LCI 81%, Scond 18%, Sacin 43%). The dose response rate of the MCT showed weak to moderate correlation with the subsequent N2SBW measurements during the provocation phases (ρ 0.34-0.50) but no correlation with N2MBW. CONCLUSIONS Both MCT and N2 washout tests are frequently pathological in patients with suspicion of asthma with normal spirometry. The weak association and lack of concordance across the tests highlight that they reflect different but not interchangeable pathological pathways of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nora Brachsler
- Clinic of Pneumology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrei M Darie
- Clinic of Pneumology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leticia Grize
- Clinic of Pneumology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Pneumology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Latzin
- Inselspital, Kinderklinik, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Clinic of Pneumology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic of Pneumology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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2
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Sena CRDS, Morten M, Collison AM, Shaar A, Andrade EDQ, Meredith J, Kepreotes E, Murphy VE, Sly PD, Whitehead B, Karmaus W, Gibson PG, Robinson PD, Mattes J. Bronchiolitis hospital admission in infancy is associated with later preschool ventilation inhomogeneity. Pediatr Pulmonol 2024; 59:632-641. [PMID: 38088225 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhinovirus (RV) positive bronchiolitis episodes in infancy confer a higher risk to develop asthma in later childhood with associated lung function impairments. We aimed to investigate the association between the type of virus causing a bronchiolitis hospitalization episode and lung ventilation inhomogeneities at preschool age. METHODS Infants hospitalized with a clinical diagnosis of moderate (ward admission) or severe (pediatric intensive care ward admission) bronchiolitis were prospectively followed-up at preschool age to assess nitrogen (N2 ) multiple breath washout (MBW). Lung clearance index (LCI), functional residual capacity (FRC), and concentration normalized phase III slope analysis (SnIII ) indices were reported from ≥2 technically acceptable trials. Differences between groups were calculated using logistic and linear regression and adjusted for confounders (sex, age at bronchiolitis admission, height at visit, maternal asthma, and doctor-diagnosed asthma, including interaction terms between the latter three). An interaction term was included in a regression model to test for an interaction between RV bronchiolitis severity and MBW parameters at preschool age. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-nine subjects attended preschool follow-up, of which 84 out of 103 (82%) performing MBW had technically acceptable data. Children with a history of RV positive bronchiolitis (n = 39) had increased LCI (adjusted β-coefficient [aβ] = 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-0.65, p = 0.040) and conductive airways ventilation inhomogeneity [Scond ] (aβ = 0.016, CI 0.004-0.028, p = 0.011) when compared with those with a RV negative bronchiolitis history (n = 45). In addition, we found a statistical interaction between RV bronchiolitis and bronchiolitis severity strengthening the association with LCI (aβ = 0.93, CI 0.20-1.58, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Children with a history of hospital admission for RV positive bronchiolitis in infancy might be at a higher risk of lung ventilation inhomogeneities at preschool age, arising from the peripheral conducting airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Rebeca Da Silva Sena
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Morten
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam M Collison
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Aida Shaar
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ediane de Queiroz Andrade
- University of Sydney, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joseph Meredith
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatric Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Kepreotes
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Far West Local Health District, NSW Local Health District, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa E Murphy
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre Healthy Lungs, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter D Sly
- The University of Queensland, Child Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bruce Whitehead
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatric Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wilfried Karmaus
- University of Memphis, School of Public Health, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Peter G Gibson
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre Healthy Lungs, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul D Robinson
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- University of Sydney, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Woolcock Medical Research Institute, Airway Imaging and Physiology Group, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joerg Mattes
- University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell®, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatric Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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3
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Siora A, Vontetsianos A, Chynkiamis N, Anagnostopoulou C, Bartziokas K, Anagnostopoulos N, Rovina N, Bakakos P, Papaioannou AI. Small airways in asthma: From inflammation and pathophysiology to treatment response. Respir Med 2024; 222:107532. [PMID: 38228215 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Small airways are characterized as those with an inner diameter less than 2 mm and constitute a major site of pathology and inflammation in asthma disease. It is estimated that small airways dysfunction may occur before the emergence of noticeable symptoms, spirometric abnormalities and imaging findings, thus characterizing them as "the quiet or silent zone" of the lungs. Despite their importance, measuring and quantifying small airways dysfunction presents a considerable challenge due to their inaccessibility in usual functional measurements, primarily due to their size and peripheral localization. Several pulmonary function tests have been proposed for the assessment of the small airways, including impulse oscillometry, nitrogen washout, body plethysmography, as well as imaging methods. Nevertheless, none of these methods has been established as the definitive "gold standard," thus, a combination of them should be used for an effective assessment of the small airways. Widely used asthma treatments seem to also affect several parameters of the small airways. Emerging biologic treatments show promising results in reducing small airways inflammation and remodelling, providing evidence for potential alterations in the disease's progression and outcomes. These novel therapies have implications not only in the clinical aspects of asthma but also in its inflammatory and functional aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Siora
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Angelos Vontetsianos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Chynkiamis
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Anagnostopoulou
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nektarios Anagnostopoulos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikoletta Rovina
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana I Papaioannou
- 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
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4
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Kokelj S, Östling J, Fromell K, Vanfleteren LEGW, Olsson HK, Nilsson Ekdahl K, Nilsson B, Olin AC. Activation of the Complement and Coagulation Systems in the Small Airways in Asthma. Respiration 2023; 102:621-631. [PMID: 37423212 DOI: 10.1159/000531374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have shown the importance of the complement and coagulation systems in the pathogenesis of asthma. OBJECTIVES We explored whether we could detect differentially abundant complement and coagulation proteins in the samples obtained from the small airway lining fluid by collection of exhaled particles in patients with asthma and whether these proteins are associated with small airway dysfunction and asthma control. METHOD Exhaled particles were obtained from 20 subjects with asthma and 10 healthy controls (HC) with the PExA method and analysed with the SOMAscan proteomics platform. Lung function was assessed by nitrogen multiple breath washout test and spirometry. RESULTS 53 proteins associated with the complement and coagulation systems were included in the analysis. Nine of those proteins were differentially abundant in subjects with asthma as compared to HC, and C3 was significantly higher in inadequately controlled asthma as compared to well-controlled asthma. Several proteins were associated with physiological tests assessing small airways. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the role of the local activation of the complement and coagulation systems in the small airway lining fluid in asthma and their association with both asthma control and small airway dysfunction. The findings highlight the potential of complement factors as biomarkers to identify different sub-groups among patients with asthma that could potentially benefit from a therapeutic approach targeting the complement system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spela Kokelj
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Karin Fromell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lowie E G W Vanfleteren
- COPD Center, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henric K Olsson
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Nilsson Ekdahl
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Bo Nilsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna-Carin Olin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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5
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Cottini M, Licini A, Lombardi C, Bagnasco D, Comberiati P, Berti A. Small airway dysfunction and poor asthma control: a dangerous liaison. Clin Mol Allergy 2021; 19:7. [PMID: 34051816 PMCID: PMC8164746 DOI: 10.1186/s12948-021-00147-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic condition, affecting approximately 339 million people worldwide. The main goal of the current asthma treatment guidelines is to achieve clinical control, encompassing both the patient symptoms and limitations and the future risk of adverse asthma outcomes. Despite randomized controlled trials showing that asthma control is an achievable target, a substantial proportion of asthmatics remain poorly controlled in real life. The involvement of peripheral small airways has recently gained greater recognition in asthma, and many studies suggest that the persistent inflammation at these sites leads to small airway dysfunction (SAD), strongly contributing to a worse asthma control. Overall, the impulse oscillometry (IOS), introduced in the recent years, seems to be able to sensitively assess small airways, while conventional spirometry does not. Therefore, IOS may be of great help in characterizing SAD and guiding therapy choice. The aim of this article is to review the literature on SAD and its influence on asthma control, emphasizing the most recent evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anita Licini
- Allergy and Pneumology Outpatient Clinic, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Carlo Lombardi
- Departmental Unit of Allergology, Immunology and Pulmonary Diseases, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Diego Bagnasco
- Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Comberiati
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alvise Berti
- Ospedale Santa Chiara and Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Thoracic Disease Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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6
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Kasi AS, Wee CP, Keens TG, Salinas DB. Abnormal Lung Clearance Index in Cystic Fibrosis Children with Normal FEV 1 and Single-Breath Nitrogen Washout Test. Lung 2021; 199:37-41. [PMID: 33389068 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-020-00412-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Single- and multiple-breath washout tests (SBW and MBW) measure ventilation inhomogeneity, but the relationship between them is unclear. Forty-three subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthy controls (HC) 8-21 years of age were recruited (CF = 30 and HC = 13) and performed nitrogen MBW, vital capacity SBW, spirometry, and plethysmography. Mean phase III slope from SBW (SIII) and lung clearance index (LCI) were significantly different between CF and HC (p = 0.017 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Based on Pearson correlation, SIII and LCI showed strong correlation (ρ = 0.81, p < 0.0001). Both SIII and LCI significantly correlated with spirometry (all p < 0.05). Among CF subjects with normal FEV1 (≥ 80%; n = 17), 76% (n = 13) had normal SIII but abnormal LCI. We conclude that LCI can be abnormal despite normal SIII and FEV1 in CF children. Although LCI and SIII showed strong correlation, our results suggest that LCI is a better test to detect ventilation inhomogeneity in CF children with normal FEV1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay S Kasi
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Choo Phei Wee
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thomas G Keens
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Danieli B Salinas
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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7
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Verbanck S, Schuermans D, Paiva M, Robinson PD, Vanderhelst E. Mitigating increased variability of multiple breath washout indices due to tidal breathing. Eur Respir J 2020; 57:13993003.02765-2020. [PMID: 32994196 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02765-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Verbanck
- Respiratory Division, University Hospital UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daniel Schuermans
- Respiratory Division, University Hospital UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manuel Paiva
- Respiratory Division, University Hospital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paul D Robinson
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Eef Vanderhelst
- Respiratory Division, University Hospital UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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8
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Abstract
This article will discuss in detail the pathophysiology of asthma from the point of view of lung mechanics. In particular, we will explain how asthma is more than just airflow limitation resulting from airway narrowing but in fact involves multiple consequences of airway narrowing, including ventilation heterogeneity, airway closure, and airway hyperresponsiveness. In addition, the relationship between the airway and surrounding lung parenchyma is thought to be critically important in asthma, especially as related to the response to deep inspiration. Furthermore, dynamic changes in lung mechanics over time may yield important information about asthma stability, as well as potentially provide a window into future disease control. All of these features of mechanical properties of the lung in asthma will be explained by providing evidence from multiple investigative methods, including not only traditional pulmonary function testing but also more sophisticated techniques such as forced oscillation, multiple breath nitrogen washout, and different imaging modalities. Throughout the article, we will link the lung mechanical features of asthma to clinical manifestations of asthma symptoms, severity, and control. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:975-1007, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Kaminsky
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - David G Chapman
- University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Trinkmann F, Lenz SA, Schäfer J, Gawlitza J, Schroeter M, Gradinger T, Akin I, Borggrefe M, Ganslandt T, Saur J. Feasibility and clinical applications of multiple breath wash-out (MBW) testing using sulphur hexafluoride in adults with bronchial asthma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1527. [PMID: 32001782 PMCID: PMC6992773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58538-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ventilation heterogeneity is frequent in bronchial asthma and can be assessed using multiple breath wash-out testing (MBW). Most data is available in paediatric patients and using nitrogen as a tracer gas. We aimed to evaluate sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) MBW in adult asthmatics. Spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, impulse oscillometry and SF6-MBW were prospectively performed. MBW parameters reflecting global (lung clearance index, LCI), acinar (Sacin) and conductive (Scond) ventilation heterogeneity were derived from three consecutive wash-outs. LCI was calculated for the traditional 2.5% and an earlier 5% stopping point that has the potential to reduce wash-out times. 91 asthmatics (66%) and 47 non-asthmatic controls (34%) were included in final analysis. LCI2.5 and LCI5 were higher in asthmatics (p < 0.001). Likewise, Sacin and Scond were elevated (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). Coefficient of variation was 3.4% for LCI2.5 and 3.5% for LCI5 in asthmatics. Forty-one asthmatic patients had normal spirometry. ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.906 for the differentiation from non-asthmatic controls exceeding diagnostic performance of individual and conventional parameters (AUC = 0.819, p < 0.05). SF6-MBW is feasible and reproducible in adult asthmatics. Ventilation heterogeneity is increased as compared to non-asthmatic controls persisting in asthmatic patients with normal spirometry. Diagnostic performance is not affected using an earlier LCI stopping point while reducing wash-out duration considerably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Trinkmann
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Biomedical Informatics of the Heinrich-Lanz-Centre, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Steffi A Lenz
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Schäfer
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joshua Gawlitza
- Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michele Schroeter
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Gradinger
- Department of Biomedical Informatics of the Heinrich-Lanz-Centre, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Akin
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Borggrefe
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Ganslandt
- Department of Biomedical Informatics of the Heinrich-Lanz-Centre, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Saur
- 1st Department of Medicine (Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonary and Intensive Care), University Medical Centre Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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10
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Nuttall AGL, Velásquez W, Beardsmore CS, Gaillard EA. Lung clearance index: assessment and utility in children with asthma. Eur Respir Rev 2019; 28:28/154/190046. [PMID: 31748419 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0046-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that ventilation heterogeneity and small airway disease are significant factors in asthma, with evidence suggesting that the small airways are involved from an early stage in childhood asthma. Spirometry is commonly used to monitor lung function in asthmatics; however, it is not sensitive to small airway disease. There has been renewed interest in multibreath washout (MBW) tests, with recognition of the lung clearance index (LCI) as a global index of abnormality in gas mixing of the lungs that therefore also reflects small airway disease. This review summarises the technical and practical aspects of the MBW/LCI in children, and the differences between commercially available equipment. Children with severe asthma are more likely to have an abnormal LCI, whereas most children with mild-to-moderate asthma have an LCI within the normal range, but slightly higher than age-matched healthy controls. Monitoring children with asthma with MBW alongside standard spirometry may provide useful additional information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy G L Nuttall
- Institute for Lung Health, NIHR Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit and Dept of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Werner Velásquez
- Hospital de Especialidades Rodolfo Robles, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
| | - Caroline S Beardsmore
- Institute for Lung Health, NIHR Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit and Dept of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Erol A Gaillard
- Institute for Lung Health, NIHR Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit and Dept of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK .,Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, UK
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11
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Drake SM, Simpson A, Fowler SJ. Asthma Diagnosis: The Changing Face of Guidelines. Pulm Ther 2019; 5:103-115. [PMID: 32026404 PMCID: PMC6967246 DOI: 10.1007/s41030-019-0093-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disease, is frequently misdiagnosed, and accounts for a significant proportion of healthcare expenditure. This has driven the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom (UK) to produce recent guidance; in places, this contrasts to that of the British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (BTS/SIGN), which have been producing their own guidance since 2003. Here we review the history of asthma diagnostic guidelines, and compare and review the evidence behind them, in adults and in children. We discuss the definitions of asthma and how these drive the concepts behind diagnostic strategies. We anticipate future directions in asthma diagnosis which will take into account the concepts of personalised medicine and disease endotypes. We also consider the utility of tests in use now and in the future, in particular novel tests relating to small airway inflammation and obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Drake
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. .,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
| | - Angela Simpson
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen J Fowler
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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