Maximal airway response to methacholine in cough-variant asthma: Comparison with classic asthma and its relationship to peak expiratory flow variability

Hee Kang, Young Yull Koh, Young Yoo, Jinho Yu, Do Kyun Kim, Chang Keun Kim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    24 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: In asthmatic subjects, not only airway sensitivity but maximal airway response are increased on the dose-response curve to methacholine, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability is closely related to airway hypersensitivity and maximal airway response. Objective: The aims of this study were to compare the prevalence and the level of maximal response plateau between patients with cough-variant asthma (CVA) and those with classic asthma (CA), and to examine the relationship between airway hypersensitivity or maximal airway response and PEF variability in patients with CVA. Methods: A high-dose methachoune inhalation test was performed on 83 patients with CVA and on 83 patients with CA matched for provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20). PEF was recorded in the morning and evening for 14 consecutive days in 78 CVA patients, and the amplitude percentage mean was used to express the diurnal PEF variation. Results: Fifty-two CVA subjects (62.7%) but only 33 CA subjects (39.8%) showed a maximal response plateau. This difference was significant after correction by the Bonferroni method (corrected p = 0.024). Subjects in the CVA and CA groups showing a plateau had significantly different plateau levels (38.0 ± 5.9% vs 42.9 ± 3.9%, corrected p = 1.0 × 10-4). In patients with CVA, no significant relationship was found between PC20 and PEF variability. However, the absence of a maximal response plateau and a higher plateau level were associated with increased PEF variability. Conclusions: Maximal airway response may be an important confounder in the relationship between airway hypersensitivity and the clinical expression of asthma. The identification of a maximal response plateau and the level of this plateau in patients with CVA provide information relevant to PEF variability.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3881-3887
    Number of pages7
    JournalChest
    Volume128
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2005 Dec

    Keywords

    • Airway hypersensitivity
    • Classic asthma
    • Cough-variant asthma
    • Maximal airway response
    • Maximal response plateau
    • Peak expiratory flow variability

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
    • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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