The course of asthma in Churg-Strauss syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Asthma is one of the key features of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS); however its course in the disease is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the asthma course in CSS patients.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of 22 CSS patients. Medical documentation was studied and patients were questioned about asthma symptoms during follow-up visits, which took place at four points of the disease. These points, at which lung function tests were performed, were CSS diagnosis; introduction of treatment at hospital discharge; and assessment of the first and last clinical and laboratory CSS remissions. Asthma control and severity were assessed in compliance with current guidelines.


RESULTS
In the asthmatic group examined, 21 patients had an adult-onset asthma, with a mean age of onset 35.5 ± 11.8 years, preceded by sinusitis (100%) and nasal polyposis (36%). Asthma at its onset was severe in 68.5%, moderate in 27%, and very poorly controlled in 21 patients. Atopy was present in 64% of patients. Onset of vasculitic symptoms and CSS diagnosis was accompanied by high blood eosinophilia (maximal 7.2 x 10(3)/l [1.2 - 32], asthma exacerbation with airway obstruction in 16 patients (mean values of FEV1 68.8 ± 17.5% and FVC 84.8 ± 19.6%), and lung involvement. After introducing the treatment and achieving stable remission, asthma severity/control and lung function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 s 92.7 ± 13.3%, and forced vital capacity 101 ± 15.5%; p < .001) improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Asthma in CSS, although severe as its onset improves after achieving CSS remission.
Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska, Krakow, Poland. wszczeklik@gmail.com
Wojciech
W
Szczeklik
Barbara Magdalena
BM
Sokołowska
Joanna
J
Zuk
Lucyna
L
Mastalerz
Andrew
A
Szczeklik
Jacek
J
Musiał
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology