title: Bronchodilator response as a marker of poor asthma control.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma guidelines emphasise the importance of monitoring disease control in managing asthma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lung function, including bronchodilator response in terms of improving in FEV1 after administration of salbutamol, and asthma control.
  
  
  METHODS
  246 patients with known asthma and in regular chronic treatment according to international guidelines were consecutively enrolled in a 12 month-period. All patients were evaluated by asthma control test (ACT), spirometry and bronchodilator test with salbutamol 400 mcg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ACT value was 18.8. Patients with significant bronchial reversibility had lower ACT mean values. This finding was confirmed in both patients with airway obstruction and in those with normal spirometry. There was a significant correlation between ACT values and bronchodilator response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The persistence of a significant degree of bronchodilator response despite regular treatment according to guidelines was a marker of worse asthma control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchodilator response, correlating with worse asthma control even in patients with normal spirometry, should be test at every visit as it may add information on asthma control.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy. Electronic address: heffler.enrico@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heffler
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crimi
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campisi
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sichili
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Morena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Intravaia
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Eva
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sberna
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Liuzzo
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU "Policlinico - Vittorio Emanuele", University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Nunzio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Crimi
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D000420:Albuterol
keywords: ACT; Asthma control; Bronchial reversibility; Salbutamol; Spirometry