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A Comparison of the Clinical and Induced Sputum Characteristics of Early- and Late-Onset Asthma

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Abstract

Background

There are few studies describing the phenotype of late-onset asthma (LOA). We sought to investigate the clinical and induced sputum characteristics of patients with LOA.

Methods

Nineteen patients with LOA diagnosed after the age of 40 years and 19 patients with early-onset asthma (EOA) diagnosed before the age of 20 years were recruited. Subjects performed lung function, reversibility, asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), exhaled nitric oxide (NO), and sputum induction.

Results

The FEV1 % predicted was lower in EOA compared to LOA (87.6 % vs. 103 %, respectively, p = 0.02), while ACQ scores were significantly higher in EOA (1.46 vs. 0.89, respectively, p = 0.03). NO was not different between the groups, but the percentage neutrophil counts were lower in the EOA group compared to the LOA group (36.6 vs. 57.3, respectively, p = 0.02). Asthma duration, but not age, was negatively associated with lung function (r = −0.4, p = 0.01). Neutrophil counts in healthy age-matched controls (n = 10) were similar to EOA and lower than LOA.

Conclusion

Raised sputum neutrophils in LOA are not an indicator of severe disease and could be a characteristic feature of this asthma phenotype. Duration of asthma influences lung function.

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Conflict of interest

M. Rossall, P. Cadden, and U. Kolsum have stated that they have no conflict of interest. D. Singh has received lecture fees, research grants, consultancy fees and support conference attendance from various pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Chiesi, Boehringer Ingleheim and Roche.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medicines Evaluation Unit, University of Manchester, The Langley Building, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9QZ, UK

    Matthew Rossall, Paul Cadden, Umme Kolsum & Dave Singh

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  1. Matthew Rossall
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  2. Paul Cadden
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  3. Umme Kolsum
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  4. Dave Singh
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Correspondence to Matthew Rossall.

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Rossall, M., Cadden, P., Kolsum, U. et al. A Comparison of the Clinical and Induced Sputum Characteristics of Early- and Late-Onset Asthma. Lung 190, 459–462 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-012-9383-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-012-9383-y

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