Does bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma matter?
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is a fundamental component of the asthmatic inflammatory process causing airway narrowing on exposure to a bronchoconstrictor stimulus. This in turn causes patients to experience symptoms of breathlessness, chest tightness, cough and wheeze. Bronchial challenge tests can be performed in the laboratory to establish the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to both direct and indirect stimuli. The extent to which asthma pharmacotherapy attenuates bronchial hyperresponsiveness is therefore an important measure of efficacy. This review article discusses the effects of inhaled and oral asthma treatment upon bronchial hyperresponsiveness and highlights how, in conjunction with conventional measures of asthma control, it can be used as an aid to optimally manage patients.
Currie
Graeme P
GP
Chest Clinic C, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Jackson
Catherine M
CM
Lipworth
Brian J
BJ
D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D008353:Mannitol; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate