1
|
Lehrer P, Irvin CG, Lu SE, Wamboldt FS. Relationships among pulmonary function, anxiety and depression in mild asthma: An exploratory study. Biol Psychol 2021; 168:108244. [PMID: 34954274 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In a secondary analysis of data from a prior study, we calculated the relationships among depression (PHQ-8), anxiety (GAD-7), and measures of asthma in 69 steroid-naïve patients with mild and moderate symptomatic asthma. Average levels of pulmonary function, depression and anxiety tended to be in the normal range, and asthma tended to be well controlled (Asthma Control Test). Nevertheless, PHQ-8 scores were significantly correlated with forced oscillation (FO) measures of airway reactance (AX) and resistance at a low frequency of stimulation (Rrs5Hz). GAD-7 scores also were significantly related to Rrs5Hz. Exploratory analyses in supplementary data provide no evidence for vagal mediation of the association. Further research is necessary to discover mechanisms for the associations found here. Future studies might examine the utility of assessing and treating mild anxiety and depression in mild to moderate asthma.
Collapse
|
2
|
Antonelli A, Crimi E, Gobbi A, Torchio R, Gulotta C, Dellaca R, Scano G, Brusasco V, Pellegrino R. Mechanical correlates of dyspnea in bronchial asthma. Physiol Rep 2013; 1:e00166. [PMID: 24744853 PMCID: PMC3970739 DOI: 10.1002/phy2.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We hypothesized that dyspnea and its descriptors, that is, chest tightness, inspiratory effort, unrewarded inspiration, and expiratory difficulty in asthma reflect different mechanisms of airflow obstruction and their perception varies with the severity of bronchoconstriction. Eighty-three asthmatics were studied before and after inhalation of methacholine doses decreasing the 1-sec forced expiratory volume by ~15% (mild bronchoconstriction) and ~25% (moderate bronchoconstriction). Symptoms were examined as a function of changes in lung mechanics. Dyspnea increased with the severity of obstruction, mostly because of inspiratory effort and chest tightness. At mild bronchoconstriction, multivariate analysis showed that dyspnea was related to the increase in inspiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R 5) (r (2) = 0.10, P = 0.004), chest tightness to the decrease in maximal flow at 40% of control forced vital capacity, and the increase in R 5 at full lung inflation (r (2) = 0.15, P = 0.006), inspiratory effort to the temporal variability in R 5-19 (r (2) = 0.13, P = 0.003), and unrewarded inspiration to the recovery of R 5 after deep breath (r (2) = 0.07, P = 0.01). At moderate bronchoconstriction, multivariate analysis showed that dyspnea and inspiratory effort were related to the increase in temporal variability in inspiratory reactance at 5 Hz (X 5) (r (2) = 0.12, P = 0.04 and r (2) = 0.18, P < 0.001, respectively), and unrewarded inspiration to the decrease in X 5 at maximum lung inflation (r (2) = 0.07, P = 0.04). We conclude that symptom perception is partly explained by indexes of airway narrowing and loss of bronchodilatation with deep breath at low levels of bronchoconstriction, but by markers of ventilation heterogeneity and lung volume recruitment when bronchoconstriction becomes more severe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Antonelli
- Allergologia e Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, ASO S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Crimi
- Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gobbi
- TBM Lab, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Torchio
- Pneumologia‐Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, AOU S. Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano (Torino), Italy
| | - Carlo Gulotta
- Pneumologia‐Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, AOU S. Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano (Torino), Italy
| | - Raffaele Dellaca
- TBM Lab, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Scano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Sezione di Immunologia Clinica, Allergologia e Malattie Respiratorie, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Vito Brusasco
- Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pellegrino
- Allergologia e Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, ASO S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shim YM, Burnette A, Lucas S, Herring RC, Weltman J, Patrie JT, Weltman AL, Platts-Mills TA. Physical deconditioning as a cause of breathlessness among obese adolescents with a diagnosis of asthma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61022. [PMID: 23637784 PMCID: PMC3634038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obese children frequently complain of breathlessness. Asthma and obesity can both contribute to the symptoms during exercise, and this symptom can contribute to a diagnosis of asthma in these children. Despite the high prevalence of obesity few studies have investigated the cardiopulmonary physiology of breathlessness in obese children with a diagnosis of asthma. METHODS In this case-control study, thirty adolescents between age 12 and 19 were studied with baseline spirometry and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Ten adolescents were normal controls, ten had obesity without a diagnosis of asthma, and ten had obesity with a history of physician-diagnosed asthma. RESULTS Baseline characteristics including complete blood count and spirometry were comparable between obese adolescents with and without a diagnosis of asthma. During exercise, obese asthmatic and obese non-asthmatic adolescents had significantly reduced physical fitness compared to healthy controls as evidenced by decreased peak oxygen uptake after adjusting for actual body weight (21.7 ± 4.5 vs. 21.4 ± 5.4 vs. 35.3 ± 5.8 ml/kg/min, respectively). However, pulmonary capacity at the peak of exercise was comparable among all three groups as evidenced by similar pulmonary reserve. CONCLUSION In this study, breathlessness was primarily due to cardiopulmonary deconditioning in the majority of obese adolescents with or without a diagnosis of asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun M. Shim
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Autumn Burnette
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Sean Lucas
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Richard C. Herring
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Judith Weltman
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - James T. Patrie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Arthur L. Weltman
- Department of Human Services and Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Thomas A. Platts-Mills
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dyspnea perception in asthma: role of airways inflammation, age and emotional status. Respir Med 2010; 105:195-203. [PMID: 20965711 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2010.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 09/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dyspnea perception in asthmatics differs between subjects. Poor perception is usually associated with increased risk of asthma attack/exacerbation. The advanced stage of the disease and the presence of eosinophilic airways inflammation have been recently recognized as being responsible for poor dyspnea perception. However, few studies are available on this topic. DESIGN The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of inflammatory pattern, age and affective status on dyspnea perception in asthmatic subjects. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS Seventy-one consecutive asthmatic patients were recruited and underwent induced sputum, exhaled NO measurement and breath condensate collection. Perception of dyspnea was evaluated as a BORG-VAS/FEV(1) slope before and after the broncho-reversibility test and correlated with the stage of asthma, inflammatory markers, age and depression scale. RESULTS Dyspnea perception decreases with the worsening of asthma, with the advance of age and of depression status. Furthermore, airways inflammation plays a key role in the decline of dyspnea perception as proved by the negative correlation observed between inflammatory cells in sputum, exhaled pH and NO and BORG-VAS/FEV(1) slope. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggested that airways inflammation, depression status, advance age and severity of asthma influence dyspnea perception and suggest a straight control to identify and better manage poor preceptor asthmatics.
Collapse
|
5
|
Suguikawa TR, Garcia CA, Martinez EZ, Vianna EO. Cough and dyspnea during bronchoconstriction: comparison of different stimuli. COUGH 2009; 5:6. [PMID: 19555484 PMCID: PMC2708122 DOI: 10.1186/1745-9974-5-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2008] [Accepted: 06/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Bronchial challenge tests are used to evaluate bronchial responsiveness in diagnosis and follow-up of asthmatic patients. Challenge induced cough has increasingly been recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool. Various stimuli and protocols have been employed. The aim of this study was to compare cough and dyspnea intensity induced by different stimuli. Methods Twenty asthmatic patients underwent challenge tests with methacholine, bradykinin and exercise. Cough was counted during challenge tests. Dyspnea was assessed by modified Borg scale and visual analogue scale. Statistical comparisons were performed by linear mixed-effects model. Results For cough evaluation, bradykinin was the most potent trigger (p < 0.01). In terms of dyspnea measured by Borg scale, there were no differences among stimuli (p > 0.05). By visual analogue scale, bradykinin induced more dyspnea than other stimuli (p ≤ 0.04). Conclusion Bradykinin seems to be the most suitable stimulus for bronchial challenge tests intended for measuring cough in association with bronchoconstriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thais R Suguikawa
- Department of Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of S, Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tillie-Leblond I, Montani D, Crestani B, de Blic J, Humbert M, Tunon-de-Lara M, Magnan A, Roche N, Ostinelli J, Chanez P. Relation between inflammation and symptoms in asthma. Allergy 2009; 64:354-67. [PMID: 19210358 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.01971.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Asthma symptoms are the main reason for healthcare utilization and are a fundamental parameter for the evaluation of asthma control. Currently, asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease. A French expert group studied the association between inflammation and asthma symptoms by carrying out a critical review of the international literature. Uncontrolled asthmatics have an increased number of polynuclear eosinophils in the induced sputum and an increased production of exhaled NO. Control by anti-inflammatory treatment is accompanied by a reduction in bronchial eosinophilia and exhaled NO. Asthma symptoms are the result of complex mechanisms and many factors modify their perception. Experimental data suggest that there is a relationship between the perception of symptoms and eosinophilic inflammation and that inhaled corticoid therapy improves this perception. Although they are still not applicable in routine practice, follow-up strategies based on the evaluation of inflammation are thought to be more effective in reducing exacerbations than those usually recommended based on symptoms and sequential analysis of respiratory function. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy is the reference disease-modifying therapy for persistent asthma. Recent studies demonstrated that adjustment of anti-inflammatory treatment based on symptoms is an effective strategy to prevent exacerbations and reduce the total number of doses of inhaled corticosteroids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Tillie-Leblond
- Respiratory Diseases Department, Hôpital Albert Calmette, Lille, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
In asthma, symptoms are the main reason for recourse to healthcare and are a fundamental parameter for the evaluation of asthma control. Currently, asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease. Uncontrolled asthmatics have an increased number of eosinophils in induced sputum and an increased production of exhaled NO. Control by anti-inflammatory treatment is accompanied by a reduction in bronchial eosinophilia and exhaled NO. Asthma symptoms are the result of complex mechanisms and many factors modify their perception. Experimental data suggests that there is a relationship between the perception of symptoms and eosinophilic inflammation, and that inhaled corticoid therapy improves this perception. Although they are still not applicable in routine practice, follow-up strategies based on the evaluation of inflammation are thought to be more effective in reducing exacerbations than those usually recommended based on retrospective evaluation of symptoms and sequential analysis of respiratory function. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy is the reference maintenance therapy for persistent asthma and adjustment of anti-inflammatory treatment based on symptoms is an effective strategy to prevent exacerbations and reduce the total dose of inhaled corticosteroids. A French expert group has undertaken a study of the association between inflammation and asthma symptoms by carrying out a critical review of the international literature.
Collapse
|
8
|
Airway injury as a mechanism for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in elite athletes. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008; 122:225-35; quiz 236-7. [PMID: 18554705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2008] [Revised: 04/30/2008] [Accepted: 05/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a consequence of evaporative water loss in conditioning the inspired air. The water loss causes cooling and dehydration of the airway surface. One acute effect of dehydration is the release of mediators, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and histamine, that can stimulate smooth muscle, causing contraction and a change in vascular permeability. Inspiring cold air increases dehydration of the surface area and causes changes in bronchial blood flow. This article proposes that the pathogenesis of EIB in elite athletes relates to the epithelial injury arising from breathing poorly conditioned air at high flows for long periods of time or high volumes of irritant particles or gases. The evidence to support this proposal comes from many markers of injury. The restorative process after injury involves plasma exudation and movement of cells into the airways, a process repeated many times during a season of training. This process has the potential to expose smooth muscle to a wide variety of plasma- and cell-derived substances. The exposure to these substances over time can lead to an alteration in the contractile properties of the smooth muscle, making it more sensitive to mediators of bronchoconstriction. It is proposed that cold-weather athletes have airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to pharmacologic agents as a result of epithelial injury. In those who are allergic, AHR can also be expressed as EIB. The role of beta(2)-receptor agonists in inhibiting and enhancing the development of AHR and EIB is discussed.
Collapse
|
9
|
Slats AM, Janssen K, van Schadewijk A, van der Plas DT, Schot R, van den Aardweg JG, de Jongste JC, Hiemstra PS, Mauad T, Rabe KF, Sterk PJ. Bronchial inflammation and airway responses to deep inspiration in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007; 176:121-8. [PMID: 17379851 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200612-1814oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Deep inspirations provide physiologic protection against airway narrowing in healthy subjects, which is impaired in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway inflammation has been suggested to alter airway mechanics during deep inspiration. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypothesis that the number of bronchial inflammatory cells is related to deep inspiration-induced bronchodilation in asthma and COPD. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, three modified methacholine challenges were performed in 13 patients with mild, persistent asthma, 12 patients with mild to moderate COPD, and 12 healthy control subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS After a 20-minute period of deep inspiration avoidance, inhalation of methacholine was followed by either one or five deep inspirations, or preceded by five deep inspirations. The response to deep inspiration was measured by forced oscillation technique. Inflammatory cells were counted within the lamina propria and airway smooth muscle area in bronchial biopsies of patients with asthma and COPD. The reduction in expiratory resistance by one and five deep inspirations was significantly less in asthma (mean change+/-SD: -0.5+/-0.8 and -0.9+/-1.0 cm H2O/L/s, respectively) and COPD (+0.2+/-1.1 and +0.4+/-1.0 cm H2O/L/s, respectively) as compared with healthy subjects (-1.5+/-1.3 and -2.0+/-1.2 cm H2O/L/s, respectively; p=0.05 and p=0.001, respectively). In asthma, this was related to an increase in mast cell numbers within the airway smooth muscle area (r=0.73; p=0.03), and in CD4+ lymphocytes in the lamina propria (r=0.61; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Inflammation in the airway smooth muscle bundles and submucosa of bronchial biopsies is positively associated with impaired airway mechanics during deep inspiration in asthma, but not in COPD. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT OO279136).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies M Slats
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Pulmonology (C2-P-62), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, and Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rosi E, Stendardi L, Binazzi B, Scano G. Perception of airway obstruction and airway inflammation in asthma: a review. Lung 2007; 184:251-8. [PMID: 17235724 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-005-2590-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Dyspnea has a multifactorial nature and the exact mechanism that causes breathlessness in asthma is not fully understood. There is compelling evidence that factors other than merely mechanical ones take part in the pathophysiology of breathlessness. Some recent reports attribute airway inflammation, which may contribute to the unexplained variability in the perception of dyspnea associated with bronchoconstriction. Eosinophil airway inflammation has been proposed as a determinant of breathlessness via mechanisms affecting either the mechanical pathways that control breathlessness or the afferent nerves involved in perception of dyspnea. In this review, data on the interrelation between inflammation and dyspnea sensation and the impact of treatment on dyspnea sensation are discussed. We conclude that regardless of whether mechanical or chemical inflammatory factors are involved, much variability in dyspnea scores remains unexplained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Rosi
- Section of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medical-Surgical Specialty, University of Florence, Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
von Leupoldt A, Kanniess F, Dahme B. The influence of corticosteroids on the perception of dyspnea in asthma. Respir Med 2006; 101:1079-87. [PMID: 17158043 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2006.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2006] [Revised: 09/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/29/2006] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Corticosteroids are effective anti-inflammatory medications that are recommended for the control of persistent asthma. Little, however, is known about their influence on the perception of dyspnea, which, in turn, is important to the successful self-management of asthma. This paper provides a synopsis of available studies examining the impact of corticosteroids on the sensitivity to perceive dyspnea and presents possible mechanisms underlying this relationship. The results of these investigations are conflicting with some studies showing improved perception and other studies showing worsened perception of dyspnea after corticosteroid treatment. Thus, firm conclusions cannot be derived from the currently available data. Implications for future research, which is required to increase our understanding of potential influences of corticosteroids on the perception of dyspnea, are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas von Leupoldt
- Department of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
von Leupoldt A, Seemann N, Gugleva T, Dahme B. Attentional distraction reduces the affective but not the sensory dimension of perceived dyspnea. Respir Med 2006; 101:839-44. [PMID: 16971103 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2006.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2006] [Revised: 06/02/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The perception of dyspnea shows many similarities to the perception of pain. Both are multidimensional processes, which are not only influenced by sensory input but also by nonsensory factors like attention. Recent research has suggested that attentional distraction might reduce the perception of dyspnea but results are conflicting. Furthermore, the specific impact of attentional distraction on the distinct dimensions of perceived dyspnea has not been studied yet. Therefore, the present study examined the specific impact of changes in the attentional focus on the sensory and affective dimension of perceived dyspnea. Dyspnea was induced in forty-four healthy volunteers (mean age: 27.7 years, range: 18-47 years) by breathing through an inspiratory resistive load (3.57 kPa/L/s), while attention was directed either to breathing or distracted by reading texts. Inspiratory time (T(i)) and breathing frequency (f) were measured continuously. After each condition the experienced intensity (i.e., sensory dimension) and unpleasantness (i.e., affective dimension) of dyspnea were rated on separate visual analog scales (VAS), presented in randomized order. ANOVAs showed that attentional distraction during loaded breathing reduced the perceived unpleasantness of dyspnea (P<0.05), while the perceived intensity of dyspnea as well as T(i) and f remained unchanged. The results show that attentional distraction reduces the affective, but not the sensory dimension of induced dyspnea in healthy volunteers. Future studies are needed to clarify whether attentional distraction can effectively be used as intervention technique for reducing the unpleasant aspects of dyspnea in different patients groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas von Leupoldt
- Psychological Institute III, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Slats AM, Sont JK, van Klink RHCJ, Bel EHD, Sterk PJ. Improvement in bronchodilation following deep inspiration after a course of high-dose oral prednisone in asthma. Chest 2006; 130:58-65. [PMID: 16840383 DOI: 10.1378/chest.130.1.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bronchodilation following deep inspiration is usually impaired in patients with asthma. This might be due to changes in airway mechanics in the presence of inflammation or structural changes within the airways. Although inhaled corticosteroid treatment has been shown to improve airway responses to deep inspiration in patients with asthma, airway inflammation can persist despite inhaled corticosteroid treatment, and thus could still influence the airway mechanics during deep breaths. We hypothesized that oral steroid treatment further optimizes deep inspiration-induced bronchodilation in clinically stable asthmatic patients who are receiving therapy with inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS Twenty-four atopic patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma (FEV1, > 70% predicted; provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 [PC20], < 8 mg/mL), who were treated with 250 to 2,000 mug of beclomethasone-dipropionate or equivalent, participated in a parallel-design, double-blind study. Before and after treatment with 0.5 mg/kg/d prednisone or placebo for 14 days, a methacholine challenge was performed. Deep inspiration-induced bronchodilation was measured by the ratio of flow at 40% of FVC on the flow-volume curve after maximal inspiration/flow at 40% of FVC on the flow-volume curve after partial (60% of FVC) inspiration (M/P ratio). RESULTS The M/P ratio significantly increased from a mean of 1.31 (range, 1.0 to 1.7) to 1.49 (range, 1.1 to 2.3) in the prednisone group. Interestingly, the improvement in the M/P ratio did not correlate with an accompanying significant increase in PC20 for methacholine (mean change, 1.02; SD doubling dose, 0.97) and a decrease in exhaled nitric oxide (mean change, 14 parts per billion [ppb]; SD, 33.4 ppb). CONCLUSIONS Systemic antiinflammatory treatment in addition to maintenance therapy with inhaled corticosteroids increases bronchodilation by deep inspiration in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. This suggests that residual inflammation impairs airway mechanics in asthma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies M Slats
- Department of Pulmonology (C2-P-62), Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kussek P, Rosario Filho NA, Cat M. Avaliação da hiperresponsividade brônquica à solução salina hipertônica em crianças e adolescentes. J Bras Pneumol 2006. [DOI: 10.1590/s1806-37132006000300004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJETIVO: Avaliar a hiperresponsividade brônquica à solução salina hipertônica a 4,5% como método alternativo a outros agentes broncoconstritores e sua relação com a sensibilização alérgica do paciente. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, experimental, com 85 indivíduos assim distribuídos: 45 no grupo de asmáticos e 17 no grupo controle não asmáticos e não alérgicos, que completaram o teste. Para nebulizar a solução salina hipertônica foi utilizado um nebulizador ultra-sônico de grande volume, sucessivamente durante 0,5, 1, 2, 4 e 8 minutos até haver queda > 15% em relação ao volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo basal. A dosagem de imunoglobulina E específica ao Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus por ImmunoCap foi considerada positiva quando > 0,35 kU/L. RESULTADOS: No grupo de asmáticos, 36 apresentaram queda média do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo de 27,4% após nebulização de solução salina hipertônica. Nenhum do grupo controle (imunoglobulina E < 0,35 kU/L) apresentou resposta à solução salina hipertônica e a queda média do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo foi de 9%. Nove asmáticos tiveram provocação brônquica negativa. A freqüência de provocação brônquica positiva foi maior nos indivíduos com imunoglobulina E específica elevada, o que indica uma relação entre hiperresponsividade brônquica e o nível sérico de imunoglobulina E específica. A sensibilidade do teste foi de 80% e a especificidade de 92%. CONCLUSÃO: A inalação de solução salina hipertônica é um método de provocação útil para avaliar hiperresponsividade brônquica em crianças e adolescentes, com adequadas sensibilidade e especificidade, além do baixo custo e necessidade de poucos equipamentos.
Collapse
|
15
|
Atta JA, Nunes MPT, Fonseca-Guedes CHF, Avena LA, Borgiani MT, Fiorenza RF, Martins MA. Patient and physician evaluation of the severity of acute asthma exacerbations. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:1321-30. [PMID: 15334197 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2004000900006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the ability of patients not experienced in the use of peak expiratory flow meters to assess the severity of their asthma exacerbations and compared it to the assessment of experienced clinicians. We also evaluated which data of physical examination and medical history are used by physicians to subjectively evaluate the severity of asthma attacks. Fifty-seven adult patients (15 men and 42 women, with a mean (+/- SD) age of 37.3 +/- 14.5 years and 24.0 +/- 17.9 years of asthma symptoms) with asthma exacerbations were evaluated in a University Hospital Emergency Department. Patients and physicians independently evaluated the severity of the asthma attack using a linear scale. Patient score, physician score and forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) were correlated with history and physical examination variables, and were also considered as dependent variables in multiple linear regression models. FEV1 correlated significantly with the physician score (rho = 0.42, P = 0.001), but not with patient score (rho = 0.03; P = 0.77). Use of neck accessory muscles, expiratory time and wheezing intensity were the explanatory variables in the FEV1 regression model and were also present in the physician score model. We conclude that physicians evaluate asthma exacerbation severity better than patients and that physician's scoring of asthma severity correlated significantly with objective measures of airway obstruction (FEV1). Some variables (the use of neck accessory muscles, expiratory time and wheezing intensity) persisted as explanatory variables in physician score and FEV1 regression models, and should be emphasized in medical schools and emergency settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Atta
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
Cigarette smoking has been implicated as an important risk factor for the development of respiratory symptoms in adults. The relationship of dyspnea with cigarette smoking has been examined in smokers and ex-smokers and the beneficial effects of smoking cessation have been demonstrated. Recent studies reported that in subjects who smoke cigarettes the risk of developing respiratory symptoms is higher in a dose-dependent way. Environmental tobacco smoke heavily influences the incidence of respiratory symptoms in both adults and in children. Up to the present time, the mechanisms whereby cigarette smoking causes dyspnea perception remain to be defined. Abnormalities in sensory nerves might diminish the perception of bronchoconstriction in smokers. In this regard, it has been postulated that prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke may lead to chronic depletion of sensory nerve neurotransmitters. Eosinophil airway inflammation has been proposed as a determinant of breathlessness via mechanisms affecting either the mechanical pathways that control breathlessness or the afferent nerves involved in perception of dyspnea. An increased number of eosinophils in some smokers implies the possibility that smoking may trigger immunological or other reactions associated with eosinophilia. In conclusion, cigarette smoking is by far one of the greatest risk factors for most respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea. Smoking is associated with the development of symptoms in a dose-dependent way and eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) increase the risk of developing dyspnea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Rosi
- Section of Immunoallergology and Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chetta A, Castagnaro A, Foresi A, Del Donno M, Pisi G, Malorgio R, Olivieri D. Assessment of breathlessness perception by Borg scale in asthmatic patients: reproducibility and applicability to different stimuli. J Asthma 2003; 40:323-9. [PMID: 12807177 DOI: 10.1081/jas-120018632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In asthmatics, the score of bronchoconstriction-associated breathlessness at 20% fall in forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1) evaluated on a Borg scale (PS20) is a tool successfully used to measure the perception of symptoms. This prospective laboratory study evaluated the applicability of PS20 to assess the breathlessness induced by ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) and methacholine (M) and its reproducibility. Twenty-two mild and clinically stable asthmatic patients performed UNDW and M challenge tests. The PS20 was calculated by linear interpolation of the last two points of the perception/fall in FEV1 curve of the UNDW and M tests. The reproducibility of PS20 M was assessed by repeating measurements on 2 separate days by 3 weeks. PS20 UNDW and PS20 M did not differ and were respectively 1.82 +/- 1.85 and 2.03 +/- 1.86. They were significantly related (rs=0.63; p<0.01) and the bias between PS20 UNDW and PS20 M was -0.21 with the limits of agreement ranging from -3.2 to 3.6. The intraclass correlation coefficient for repeated measurement of PS20 M was 0.82; the bias between the two measurements was 0.2 with the limits of agreement ranging from -2.8 to 3.2. All patients had a measurable breathlessness perception degree on a Borg scale during both distilled water challenges and methacholine. Asthmatic patients with normal, exaggerated or poor breathlessness perception were also similar for both stimuli. In addition, PS20 showed a good reproducibility and this allows the serial evaluation of patient's breathlessness perception by this technique in clinical settings and in the physiology laboratory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Chetta
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Melani AS, Ciarleglio G, Pirrelli M, Sestini P. Perception of dyspnea during exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Respir Med 2003; 97:221-7. [PMID: 12645828 DOI: 10.1053/rmed.2003.1448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED After strenuous physical exercise, many subjects show a significant bronchoconstriction and report dyspnea. Despite this clinical condition being a commonly encountered situation during daily life, which may be responsible for substantial disability there is little information on the relationship between the perception of dyspnea and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) after a standardized exercise challenge. For these reasons, we evaluated 200 consecutive outpatients (median age 13 years, ranging from 5 to 56 years) referred to our laboratory to perform an exercise test out of suspicion of EIB. On exercise challenge, perception of dyspnea was rated on a modified bipolar Borg scale immediately before each FEV1 measurement. Sixty-nine (35%) subjects had a positive exercise challenge, defined as a decrease of at least 20% in FEV1 from baseline. Both the onset and the decay of dyspnea preceded those of bronchoconstriction. Overall, the rating of dyspnea in the laboratory was well related with the reports of exercise-related symptoms. Similarly, 36 of 77 (47%) asthmatics with a history of exertional symptoms and 24 of 65 patients (40%) without a history had a positive challenge. Asthmatics reporting exertional symptoms perceived a greater magnitude of dyspnea after exercise independently from the degree of bronchoconstriction. Overall, dyspnea was significantly but loosely correlated to the magnitude of decrease in FEV1, being also influenced by age, gender and BMI. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that dyspnea recorded in the laboratory after exercise test is related to exertional symptoms reported during real life, but not completely related to EIB. The rating of dyspnea is a well-suited model to study naturally occurring exercise-induced dyspnea and a useful tool to enlarge the results of an exercise challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Melani
- Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Policlinico Le Scotte, Azienda Ospedaliera Senese, Italy.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
A high prevalence of asthma has been reported in athletes. However, studies in this population usually show an even higher prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). This report compares studies on self-reported or physician-diagnosed asthma in athletes with those using objective measures of airflow limitation or airway responsiveness. The higher prevalence of AHR (or EIB) measured in athletes, when compared with the prevalence of self-reported or physician-diagnosed asthma, suggests that abnormal airway responses are common in athletes, although they are infrequently associated with troublesome respiratory symptoms. This may indicate underdiagnosis of asthma in athletes, possibly due to an underreporting of respiratory symptoms or a reduction in perception of nociceptive sensations with repeated exercise over time, or it may simply mean that high-level training is associated with asymptomatic AHR. In athletes, as in the general population, the use of subjective methods such as surveys and questionnaires results in an underestimation ofthe prevalence of airway dysfunction when compared with objective measurements. The significance of these observations is unknown, and there is a need to determine their long-term consequences for athletes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J B Langdeau
- Institut Universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de l'Université Laval, Hôpital Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Poor dyspnoea perception in asthmatic patients seems to be associated with increased risk of asthma exacerbation. We have studied the relationship between basel ne dyspnoea perception and inflammatory markers in sputum in eight patients with mild asthma and in 13 patients with moderate to severe asthma. The perception of dyspnoea was scored on the Borg scale. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) was measured by fluoroimmunoassay and by an interleukin (IL)-5 sandwich ELISA. The baseline Borg score was significantly higher in patients with severe asthma than in patients with mild to moderate asthma (4.1 +/- 0.29 vs. 2.28 +/- 0.28, P<0.05). The proportion of eosinophil and ECP levels in the sputum were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe asthma. IL-5 in sputum was significantly increased in moderate to severe asthmatic patients compared to mild asthmatic patients. A significant relationship was found between the baseline perception score and FEV1/FVC (r = -0.53, P<0.01), sputum eosinophils (r = 0.70, P<0.01) and sputum ECP (r = 0.62, P<0.01). These findings suggest that the baseline perception score is related to inflammatory markers in sputum, and that the perception of dyspnoea as well as airway inflammatory markers may be considered to evaluate asthma severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seonam University College of Medicine, Seogu, Gwangju, Korea.
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Manning HL, Schwartzstein RM. Respiratory sensations in asthma: physiological and clinical implications. J Asthma 2001; 38:447-60. [PMID: 11642411 DOI: 10.1081/jas-100105865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Dyspnea is a cardinal symptom of asthma and may arise from several pathophysiological mechanisms, including pulmonary hyperinflation, stimulation of vagal receptors, and, rarely, chemoreceptor stimulation. The language that patients use to describe their breathlessness may provide important clues about the physiology underlying symptoms in a particular patient. Several physiological derangements may contribute to dyspnea in a given individual. The variability in the severity of breathlessness for any given degree of airflow obstruction may relate to differences in the relative importance of these physiological changes and/or to a range of perceptual abilities in asthmatic patients. One hypothesis that is under current investigation is that defective perception of asthma symptoms may lead to undertreatment and the potential for greater morbidity and mortality from asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H L Manning
- Department of Medicine and Physiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ottanelli R, Rosi E, Romagnoli I, Grazzini M, Stendardi L, Duranti R, Scano G. Do inhaled corticosteroids affect perception of dyspnea during bronchoconstriction in asthma? Chest 2001; 120:770-7. [PMID: 11555508 DOI: 10.1378/chest.120.3.770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some of the disagreements on the perception of dyspnea (PD) during bronchoconstriction in asthma patients could depend on the interrelationships among the following: (1) the influence of baseline airflow obstruction on the patient's ability to detect any further increase in airway resistance; (2) the effect of eosinophilic inflammation on the airway; (3) bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR); and (4) the effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that if the inflammation of the airway wall influences to some extent and in some way the PD in asthma patients, ICSs reverse the effect of airway inflammation on the PD. METHODS We studied 100 asthma patients who were divided into the following four groups: patients with obstruction who were either ICS-naive (group I) or were treated with ICSs (group II); and nonobstructed patients who were either ICS-naive (group III) or were treated with ICSs (group IV). PD on the visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed during a methacholine-induced FEV(1) decrease and specifically was quantified as the VAS slope and score at an FEV(1) decrease of 5 to 20%. BHR was assessed in terms of the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1) (PC(20)). Eosinophil counts in induced sputum samples also were performed. Regression analysis, univariate analysis of variance, and factor analysis were applied for statistical evaluation. RESULTS For a 5 to 20% fall in FEV(1) from the lowest point after saline solution induction, VAS score was lowest in group II, slightly higher in group I, slightly higher still in group IV, and the highest in group III. In the patients as a whole, BHR related to PD, but age, clinical score, duration of the disease, and presence of baseline airway obstruction did not. In patients with obstruction who were treated with ICSs, eosinophil counts related to PD negatively. Factor analysis yielded the following four factors that accounted for 70% of the variance in the data: ICS; eosinophil counts; FEV(1); and PC(20) loaded on separated factors with PD loading on the same factors as PC(20). The post hoc analysis carried out dividing the patients into ICS-treated and ICS-naive, showed that in the former group eosinophil counts and BHR proved to be factors negatively associated with PD, while in the latter group eosinophil counts were positively associated with PD. CONCLUSIONS We have shown that eosinophilic inflammation of the airway wall may increase PD and that the association of eosinophil counts with ICSs may result in lessening the PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Ottanelli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Immunoallergology and Respiratory Diseases, University of Florence, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Noseda A, De Bruyne I, De Maertelaer V, Yernault JC. Does an IV bolus of methylprednisolone relieve dyspnea in asthma exacerbations? Chest 2000; 118:1530-7. [PMID: 11115436 DOI: 10.1378/chest.118.6.1530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To assess whether IV methylprednisolone exerts a specific early effect on dyspnea in patients with an exacerbation of asthma. DESIGN Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. SETTING Medium-sized university general hospital. PATIENTS Twenty-five asthma patients attending the chest clinic with spontaneous complaints of increases in dyspnea and with a Borg scale dyspnea rating >/= 1 at rest. INTERVENTIONS At 0 min, IV methylprednisolone (125 mg) vs saline solution; at 60 min, 5 x 500 microg terbutaline inhaled from an inhaler device. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Change in dyspnea was assessed with bipolar visual analog scale (VAS) (much more short of breath, -100%; much less short of breath, + 100%), FEV(1), and visual memory (using the Benton visual retention test). Eighteen subjects (mean age, 61 years) completed the study. At 5 min and 60 min, shortness of breath improved with no statistically significant difference between saline solution and methylprednisolone. The mean (SD) VAS rating at 60 min was 29% (39%) on the day that saline solution was administered and 36% (25%) on the day the steroid was administered. FEV(1) and Benton score did not significantly change from baseline on either study day. Shortness of breath and FEV(1) improved following terbutaline administration, with no significant difference between the days on which saline solution and the steroid were administered. In the seven subjects who were randomized to receive methylprednisolone on the first day, baseline dyspnea rated on the Borg scale was significantly lower on the second day (first day: median, 3; range, 3 to 4; second day: median, 2; range, 0.5 to 3; p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that in patients with an exacerbation of asthma, an IV bolus of methylprednisolone does not reduce dyspnea more than saline solution after 5 min and 60 min.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Noseda
- Pulmonary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Banzett RB, Dempsey JA, O'Donnell DE, Wamboldt MZ. Symptom perception and respiratory sensation in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 162:1178-82. [PMID: 10988151 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.162.3.9909112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R B Banzett
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
The present consensus on asthma management includes avoidance of triggers, education, regular follow-up, and an action plan that relies on symptoms and lung function measurements for the monitoring of disease severity. Inclusion of objective measurements for monitoring seems to be important because patients and physicians may not always recognize asthma symptoms or their severity. However, the additional value of monitoring peak flow and symptoms in guiding asthma therapy has not been well established. Furthermore, it can be questioned whether a treatment strategy which is solely based on optimizing symptoms and lung function leads to optimal control of asthma in each individual patient, since airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airways inflammation may persist. The chronicity of such abnormalities may lead to airways remodelling, thereby worsening the long-term outcome of asthma. It has been shown that AHR provides prognostic information on asthma control, because it can serve as a valuable noninvasive surrogate marker of airways inflammation when added to the guides of asthma therapy. A limited increase in dose of inhaled steroids, instead of applying an increased dose indiscriminately, can be successfully tailored to the needs of the individual patient based on the degree of AHR. Such a strategy leads to both a better clinical outcome and a better histologic outcome. The present worldwide effort is to find alternative markers of airways inflammation in asthma that can be easily implemented in routine practice. In the near future, longitudinal studies will determine which parameter is potentially most useful in guiding asthma management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J K Sont
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Veen JC, Smits HH, Ravensberg AJ, Hiemstra PS, Sterk PJ, Bel EH. Impaired perception of dyspnea in patients with severe asthma. Relation to sputum eosinophils. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998; 158:1134-41. [PMID: 9769272 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.158.4.9710087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor dyspnea perception might be a risk factor for developing asthma exacerbations. We investigated whether severe asthmatics with recurrent exacerbations (brittle asthma) have different dyspnea perception and sputum cells compared with equally severe, but stable asthmatics, or patients with mild steroid-naive asthma. Fifteen brittle asthmatics (13 female, median age 28 yr [range, 20 to 47 yr]), 15 matched severe-stable asthmatics (14 female, median age 26 yr [range, 17 to 52 yr]), and 11 mild asthmatics (8 female, median age 25 yr [range, 19 to 43 yr]) underwent inhalation tests with methacholine (MCh), and hypertonic saline combined with sputum induction. Dyspnea was assessed by Borg and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), plotted against the percent fall in FEV1, and expressed as the slope of the regression line (Slope-Borg and Slope-VAS). The brittle and stable asthmatics had poorer perception than patients with mild asthma (Slope-Borg [p = 0.036], Slope-VAS [p < 0.001] for MCh). In patients with brittle asthma the perception was less as compared with severe-stable asthma (Slope-Borg for MCh: p = 0.05). In the severe asthmatics there was an inverse correlation between sputum eosinophilia and Slope-Borg and Slope-VAS (R = -0.55, p = 0. 002 and R = -0.37, p = 0.049), whereas this correlation was a positive one in the mild asthmatics (R = 0.79, p = 0.012 and R = 0. 67, p = 0.05). In conclusion, patients with severe asthma, particularly those with recurrent exacerbations, have blunted perception of dyspnea, which is related to the degree of sputum eosinophilia. This suggests that increased sputum eosinophilia is an indicator of clinical instabililty, and that eosinophilic airways inflammation might affect dyspnea perception in severe asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Veen
- Lung Function and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Pedersen KE, Meeker SN, Riccio MM, Undem BJ. Selective stimulation of jugular ganglion afferent neurons in guinea pig airways by hypertonic saline. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1998; 84:499-506. [PMID: 9475859 DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1998.84.2.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the ability of hyperosmolar stimuli to activate afferent nerves in the guinea pig trachea and main bronchi and investigated the neural pathways involved. By using electrophysiological techniques, studies in vitro examined the effect of hyperosmolar solutions of sodium chloride (hypertonic saline) on guinea pig airway afferent nerve endings arising from either vagal nodose or jugular ganglia. The data reveal a differential sensitivity of airway afferent neurons to activation with hypertonic saline. Afferent fibers (both A delta and C fibers) with cell bodies located in jugular ganglia were much more sensitive to stimulation with hypertonic saline, compared with afferent neurons with cell bodies located in nodose ganglia. Additional studies in vivo demonstrated that inhalation of aerosols of hypertonic saline induced plasma extravasation in guinea pig trachea that was mediated via tachykinin NK1 receptors. Identification of a differential sensitivity of guinea pig airway afferent nerves to hypertonic saline leads to the speculation that airway responses to hyperosmolar stimuli may result from activation of afferent neurons originating predominantly from the jugular ganglion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Pedersen
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Marks GB, Yates DH, Sist M, Ceyhan B, De Campos M, Scott DM, Barnes PJ. Respiratory sensation during bronchial challenge testing with methacholine, sodium metabisulphite, and adenosine monophosphate. Thorax 1996; 51:793-8. [PMID: 8795666 PMCID: PMC472540 DOI: 10.1136/thx.51.8.793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is some evidence that the perception of bronchoconstriction may very according to the nature of the provoking stimulus. The aims of this study were, firstly, to develop a method for measuring dyspnoea during induced bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma and, secondly, to apply this method to testing differences between directly and indirectly acting bronchoconstricting stimuli. METHODS Descriptive terms suitable for quantifying respiratory discomfort due to bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma were identified in a preliminary investigation. The relation between reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and respiratory discomfort, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS), was then studied during challenges with three different inhaled stimuli: methacholine (MCH), sodium metabisulphite (MBS), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Three indices were calculated to describe the relation: the VAS value associated with a 20% fall in FEV1 (FEV20 VAS); the ratio of the final VAS value to the final percentage fall in FEV1 (VAS-FEV1 ratio); and the regression coefficient for predicting VAS from the percentage fall in FEV1 within each challenge (beta VAS FEV1). RESULTS "Difficulty in breathing" and "chest tightness" were selected as suitable terms for quantifying respiratory discomfort. There were no differences between the three agonists in the qualitative aspects of the respiratory sensation. In paired challenges with the same agonist the three indices were all found to be reproducible for both sensations measured. MCH induced less intense difficulty in breathing and chest tightness for a given fall in FEV1 than did AMP. There was a trend in the same direction for the comparison between MCH and MBS. There were no differences between AMP and MBS. FEV20 VAS was less powerful in discriminating between agonists than the two slope indices. CONCLUSIONS The relation between induced reduction in FEV1 and the intensity of respiratory discomfort can be measured reliably. The indirectly acting bronchoconstricting agonists AMP and MBS induced more intense respiratory discomfort for a given fall in FEV1 than the direct agonist MCH. This may be due to differences in unmeasured mechanical changes in the lungs or to an additional action on airway sensory nerves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G B Marks
- Asthma Laboratory, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|