Effect of the inhaled corticosteroid mometasone on small airway patency in patients with asthma.
The inflammation in asthma involves both the large and the small airways. This study was designed to examine whether mometasone delivered from a dry powder inhaler would improve those parameters thought to reflect patency and obstruction of the small airways (diameter <2 mm). Subjects with mild to moderate asthma, only receiving short-acting beta-agonists, underwent baseline assessment, and then were randomized to receive for 12 weeks either mometasone 400 micrograms once daily in the evening or matching placebo. Outcomes assessed included clinical measures and measures of airway responsiveness and inflammation included methacholine sensitivity (concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV(1)] [PC(20)]), exhaled nitric oxide, serum ECP, and sputum eosinophils. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry, plethysmography, and forced oscillometry. Measures of small airway patency included single breath nitrogen washout and air trapping on expiratory high-resolution computed tomography. Results were available on 12 adult subjects who received mometasone and 14 subjects who received placebo. Among tests reflecting small airway patency, the forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity was significantly improved by mometasone compared with placebo (+9% versus -6%; p = 0.006 and the closing volume over forced vital capacity (FVC; -2% versus 0%; p = 0.05). Other results significantly favoring mometasone over placebo included FEV(1), FVC, PC(20), and A.M. and P.M. peak expiratory flows, and albuterol use. Mometasone delivered by a dry powder inhaler improved asthma control and pulmonary function in tests reflecting both large and small airways.
Nelson
Harold S
HS
Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. nelsonh@njhealth.org
Gallegos
Christina M
CM
Silveira
Lori J
LJ
Newell
John D
JD
Gelfand
Erwin W
EW
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D009569:Nitric Oxide