Measures of perception of bronchoconstriction and clinical and functional data are not interrelated in asthma.
BACKGROUND
Sensitivity and absolute perceptual magnitude characterize the perception of bronchoconstriction (PB).


OBJECTIVE
To define whether clinical and functional characteristics and level of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) correlate with these two PB indexes during bronchial challenge in asthma.


METHODS
PB on both the Borg scale and the visual-analogue scale (VAS) was assessed in 45 consecutive asthmatics during a methacholine-induced decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and specifically quantified as Borg and VAS slope, as a measure of sensitivity, whereas scores at a 20% FEV(1) decrease (PB(20)) were assessed as a measure of absolute perceptual magnitude. Clinical score and BHR were also assessed.


RESULTS
PB(20) related to slope on both the Borg scale and the VAS (p < 0.0001). PB(20) and slope related neither to clinical score nor to baseline functional data on both scales. The relationship between the level of BHR and PB(20) on either scale was of questionable clinical significance (r(2) = 7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Irrespective of the scale employed, our data indicate the need for directly assessing PB rather than deriving it from clinical and functional data and level of BHR.
Grazzini
M
M
Section of Clinical Immunology and Respiratory Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Ottanelli
R
R
Duranti
R
R
Stendardi
L
L
Ronchi
M C
MC
Romagnoli
I
I
Scano
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement