Influence of body mass indexes on response to treatment in acute asthma

Increases in body mass index [BMI] are reported to influence asthma response to treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMI and response to treatment in a group of patients that were referred for asthma control. Effectiveness measurements in this analysis included percentage of changes in forced volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced volume capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC [FEF25-75%]. A total of 293 subjects with asthma of both genders and above 18 years of age were divided into the following BMI categories: 107 [36.5%] non-obese [BMI <25], 186 [63.5%] overweight and obese [BMI >/= 25]. Percentage of change was defined as change in variable between baseline and end-of-treatment. Analyses of non-obese vs. overweight/obese asthmatics demonstrated non-significant differences in baseline FEV1 [1.62 +/- 0.56 Lit vs. 1.63 +/- 0.56 Lit L, P=0.89]; FVC [2.58 +/- 0.73 Lit vs. 2.47 +/- 0.82 Lit, P=0.25]; and FEF25-75% [1.04 +/- 0.55 ml/sec vs. 1.05 +/- 0.50 ml/sec, P=0.47] respectively. Compared with non-obese subjects, in overweight/obese subjects with asthma were less responded to treatment. Percentage changes of FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75%, and FEV1/FVC in non-obese versus obese/overweight patients were: 79.57 +/- 55.14% vs. 62.13 +/- 41.72%, P=0.005; 47.71 +/- 33.76% vs. 39.93 +/- 28.30%, P=0.036; 151.98 +/- 127.82% vs. 123 +/- 91.12%, P=0.041; 20.54 +/- 15.63% vs. 15.63 +/- 11.32%, P=0.005; respectively. Percentage changes of spirometric values to treatment in over weight/obese asthmatic patient were lesser in compared with non-obese subjects

Evaluation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in acute asthma

High sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] is an inflammatory marker known to be related to inflammation, infection, and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate hs-CRP level in serum of asthmatics and its relationship with pulmonary function tests, serum IgE levels, and peripheral blood white blood cell [WBC] counts. The under study subjects were 108 patients with acute asthma and 93 healthy volunteers. The levels of hs-CRP of 108 patients with acute bronchial asthma and 93 non-asthmatic control subjects were measured. Spirometry, serum immunoglobulin-E [IgE] measurement, and WBC counts were done for patient and control groups. The mean serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with acute asthma compared with controls [5.47 +/- 7.33 mg/l versus 1.46 +/- 1.89 mg/l, p<0.001]. Among asthmatic patients, mean hs-CRP levels were not correlated with indices of pulmonary function tests [forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity and forced mid-expiratory flow], serum IgE level, eosinophil count or WBC count. Serum C-reactive protein levels measured by high-sensitivity assays increase in acute asthma and may be useful as a diagnostic tool for detecting and monitoring inflammation in these patients. In our study on patients with acute asthma, no significant correlation was revealed between hs-CRP and pulmonary function tests, total serum IgE, or peripheral blood white blood cell counts

Effect of age on response to treatment in adult patients with severe persistent Asthma

Due to current controversies regarding the effect of age on response to treatment in asthmatic patient, the present study was performed on patients referred with acute asthma attack for further evaluation of this matter. In this study 138 patients with severe persistent asthma were enrolled and divided into two categories of young [age /= 50 yrs; 56 cases, mean age 57.4 +/- 6.4 years]. Response to treatment was determined by pulmonary function tests. The mean percentage change of FEV1 from baseline in male and female patients of young and old age was 75.05 +/- 46.61 and 71.39 +/- 41.30%, [P=0.721] and 100.79 +/- 51.34% and 69 +/- 37.39% [P=0.015], respectively. The mean percentage of possible improvement of FEV1 among male and female patients of young and old age was 62.81 +/- 25.67% and 54.46 +/- 23.82% [P=0.148], and 78 +/- 24.04% and 63.58 +/- 41.24% [P=0.087]; respectively. Response to treatment was significant in both young and old age groups suffering from acute asthmatic attack except for young female patients in which, percentage change of FEV1 increased compared to older patients. Among other patients this value and percentage of possible improvement of FEV1 between the 2 groups did not change significantly and age did not play a significant role in assessing the response to treatment in acute asthmatic attack