PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Rodrigo Athanazio
AU  - Regina Carvalho-Pinto
AU  - Samia Rached
AU  - Frederico Fernandes
AU  - Klaus Rabe
AU  - Alberto Cukier
AU  - Rafael Stelmach
TI  - An extensive function evaluation in severe asthma with airflow limitation
DP  - 2014 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 228
VI  - 44
IP  - Suppl 58
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/228.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/228.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2014 Sep 01; 44
AB  - Asthma is classically characterized by full reversal of airway obstruction. However, a significant proportion of patients demonstrate partial obstruction reversibility despite best treatment. We aim to compare characteristics of non-controlled severe asthma patients with persistent (PO) and fixed (FO) airflow obstruction to those with non-persistent obstruction (NPO). Sixty-two non-controlled severe asthmatics received high inhaled corticosteroid dose plus LABA for 12 weeks. In the first two weeks they also received oral prednisone (OC=40mg.day-1). They were evaluated according to ACQ, spirometry, pletismography and Single Breath N2 washout test, at baseline (T-2), after OC trial (T2) and at the end of the study (T12). ACQ and functional data at T-2 and T2 are shown in table below. At T12, all subgroups presented a slight worsening in functional status although still better than baseline.View this table:Clinical and functional characteristics of severe asthmatic patients after standardized treatmentOur data confirm that a high proportion of severe asthmatic patients persists with airflow obstruction despite optimal theraphy. Small airway measurements are sensitive in identifying those most likely to respond to treatment and may help to understand the pathophysiology involved in remodeling and fixed obstruction in asthmatic patients.