title: Mechanisms of bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Bronchial hyperreactivity has long been recognized as a hallmark of chronic asthma. Less is known about the prevalence and mechanisms of hyperreactivity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Currently, it is unclear whether the role and mechanisms of hyperreactivity are similar in patients with asthma and COPD or whether the underlying pathophysiologic abnormalities are different for both diseases. The aim of this review is to present an overview of current knowledge of the mechanisms of bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma and COPD.
authors.affiliation: Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Pulmonology C3-P, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. d.c.grootendorst@lumc.nl
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Grootendorst
authors.forename: Klaus F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Rabe
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors