title: Pulmonary function in adolescents with childhood asthma.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the pulmonary function in former and present asthmatics. We examined 77 persons aged 12-24 years, classified into four groups: 1) healthy subjects (controls) (n = 19), 2) former asthmatics (n = 19), 3) present mild asthmatics (n = 20), and 4) present severe asthmatics (n = 19). Although exhibiting no respiratory symptoms, former asthmatics had reduced airflow values measured by FEV1 (median (range) 89.7 (83-99) vs 101.4 (91-110)) and MEF25 (76.5 (68-94) vs 103.0 (97-124)), as compared with controls. Furthermore, former asthmatics had significantly increased PEF variability, as compared with controls, whereas no significant differences were found in static lung parameters, i.e. total lung capacity and residual volume, as compared with controls. In conclusion, former asthmatics, although now exhibiting no respiratory symptoms, were found to have obstructive airflow limitation, increased bronchial responsiveness, and normal lung volumes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, State University Hosptial, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mosfeldt Laursen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaae Hansen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Backer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bach-Mortensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prahl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors