title: [Bronchial morphologic modification in asthma].
abstract: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways clinically characterised by recurrent bronchial obstructions at least partially reversible. Recent epidemiologic data suggest that asthmatics have an increased rate of decrease of their expiratory volumes during life. This irreversible lung function impairment is associated with fundamental structural changes of the bronchial wall in terms of conjunctive tissue and smooth muscle composition. We describe these changes and explore the different mechanisms proposed to explain these structural modifications. We also review their consequences in terms of bronchial physiology and their potential influence on bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
authors.affiliation: Université de Liège, Service de Pneumologie.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cataldo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Godon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Munaut
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noël
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Foidart
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bartsch
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012008:Recurrence