BACKGROUND: In a post-hoc analysis of a pediatric asthma study, we identified the predictors of asthma exacerbations (AEs) and related them to forced expiratory volume (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). OBJECTIVES: We sought to detect predictors of AEs in a prospective study that utilizes impulse oscillometry (IOS) and to compare the results to previously determined predictors. METHODS: A moderate AE was defined as an increased use of salbutamol during coughing episodes. Pulmonary function and BHR were measured during symptom- and medication-free periods. Additionally, allergen testing and IOS were included. To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of AE detection, a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and accuracy was measured with the area under the ROC curve (AUC). A logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of an exacerbation. RESULTS: Seventy-five pediatric patients (4-7 years of age) with intermittent asthma were included. In 69 patients, the following cut-off values demonstrated the best sensitivity and specificity combination for predicting an AE: FEV1 103.2% (AUC 0.62), BHR (PD20methacholine) 0.13 mg (AUC 0.61), and, in 54 children, Rrs5 0.78 kPa × l-1 × s (AUC 0.80). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the combination of all parameters predicted the individual risk of AEs with an accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: IOS, a simple method, predicted the probability of AEs in young children. Airway resistance, measured by IOS, was superior to FEV1 and methacholine testing. The current data suggest that peripheral airway obstruction is present during symptom-free periods and that these children more likely experience AEs.
BACKGROUND: In a post-hoc analysis of a pediatric asthma study, we identified the predictors of asthma exacerbations (AEs) and related them to forced expiratory volume (FEV1), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). OBJECTIVES: We sought to detect predictors of AEs in a prospective study that utilizes impulse oscillometry (IOS) and to compare the results to previously determined predictors. METHODS: A moderate AE was defined as an increased use of salbutamol during coughing episodes. Pulmonary function and BHR were measured during symptom- and medication-free periods. Additionally, allergen testing and IOS were included. To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of AE detection, a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and accuracy was measured with the area under the ROC curve (AUC). A logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of an exacerbation. RESULTS: Seventy-five pediatric patients (4-7 years of age) with intermittent asthma were included. In 69 patients, the following cut-off values demonstrated the best sensitivity and specificity combination for predicting an AE: FEV1 103.2% (AUC 0.62), BHR (PD20methacholine) 0.13 mg (AUC 0.61), and, in 54 children, Rrs5 0.78 kPa × l-1 × s (AUC 0.80). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the combination of all parameters predicted the individual risk of AEs with an accuracy of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: IOS, a simple method, predicted the probability of AEs in young children. Airway resistance, measured by IOS, was superior to FEV1 and methacholine testing. The current data suggest that peripheral airway obstruction is present during symptom-free periods and that these children more likely experience AEs.
Authors: Stanley P Galant; Hirsh D Komarow; Hye-Won Shin; Salman Siddiqui; Brian J Lipworth Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Date: 2017-06 Impact factor: 6.347
Authors: Marco Zaffanello; Emma Gasperi; Laura Tenero; Michele Piazza; Angelo Pietrobelli; Luca Sacchetto; Franco Antoniazzi; Giorgio Piacentini Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2017-11-14
Authors: Banafshe Hosseini; Bronwyn S Berthon; Malcolm R Starkey; Adam Collison; Rebecca F McLoughlin; Evan J Williams; Kristy Nichol; Peter Ab Wark; Megan E Jensen; Carla Rebeca Da Silva Sena; Katherine J Baines; Joerg Mattes; Lisa G Wood Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2021-06-17 Impact factor: 7.561