title: Influenza vaccination in patients with asthma: effect on peak expiratory flow, asthma symptoms and use of medication.
abstract: This pilot study was undertaken to examine whether killed influenza vaccine causes exacerbations in asthmatic adults. Thirty-three stable asthmatics recorded peak expiratory flow (PEF), asthma symptoms, and use of asthma medication for 2 weeks, and then received killed influenza vaccine. Thereafter they recorded PEF, asthma symptoms and use of medication for a further 2 weeks. Comparison of recordings during the 2 weeks before and after vaccination revealed that influenza vaccine was not associated with reduction in PEF (P = 0.76), increase in asthma symptoms (P = 0.17) or use of asthma medication (P = 0.58). Similar results for PEF (P = 0.49), asthma symptoms (P = 0.17), and asthma medication (P = 0.16) were obtained when the analysis was restricted to the 2 days before and after vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Leicester University, UK.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Hammersley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000276:immunology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated