SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007

December 26, 2007

Airway Response to Mannitol vs. Methacholine

Summary
This investigation was an evaluation of the correlation between airway hyperreactivity to Mannitol and methacholine, and the presence of markers of inflammation in asthma. It employed 53 adult asthmatics not taking inhaled corticosteroids. Each were challenged with Mannitol and methacholine. In addition, induced sputum eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide, peak flow variation, and clinical severity of asthma were assessed. Quality of life scores as assessed by the Juniper Questionnaire were also measured.

Airway hyperreactivity to methacholine and Mannitol was associated with markers of airway inflammation. However, these markers were most closely associated with airway hyperreactivity to Mannitol versus that to methacholine. Airway hyperreactivity to Mannitol was more closely associated with the percentage of sputum eosinophils compared to methacholine. Also, there was a stronger correlation between airway hyperreactivity to Mannitol than the level of exhaled nitric oxide.

The investigators concluded that in asthma patients not being treated with corticosteroids, airway hyperreactivity to Mannitol and to methacholine correlated with the presence of airway inflammation, but that the degree of airway hyperreactivity to Mannitol was more closely related to the degree of airway inflammation compared with that to methacholine.

Reference
Porsbjerg C, et al. Relationship between airway responsiveness to Mannitol and methacholine, and markers of airway inflammation, peak flow variability, and quality of life in asthma patients.

 

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