title: Stability of the circadian alteration in lung function in asthma.
abstract: Although studies on pharmacologic interventions for nocturnal asthma are increasing, information about the long-term stability of circadian spirometric changes or bronchial responsiveness is not known. This study was undertaken to evaluate these variables in 10 patients with asthma measured quarterly during a 1-year period. We have found that the overnight decrease in peak expiratory flow rate measurements is stable (mean range, 13.8% to 16.4%) during the year, as are the quarterly 4 PM (1600-hour) and 4 AM (0400-hour) FEV1 values. The 4 PM provocative concentration of methacholine that produced a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) (range of geometric mean, 0.213 to 0.359 mg/ml) and the 4 AM PC20 (range, 0.057 to 0.152 mg/ml) for the group were also relatively stable. Individual variation was higher for the PC20 values than for the FEV1. We concluded that during a 1-year period, without acute respiratory events, (1) the overnight decrement in peak expiratory flow rate and the 4 AM and 4 PM FEV1 values were constant and (2) bronchial responsiveness demonstrated some individual variability, but for the group, it remained stable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Cicutto
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ackerson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D013806:Theophylline