Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the last decade the study of pulmonary function by multiple breath washout technique (MBW) has been widely used to detect early pulmonary changes in Cystic Fibrosis. On the contrary there are only few studies that use Lung Clearance Index (LCI) in other chronic lung diseases like asthma. Moreover data regarding bronchodilator response on LCI are contradictory.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To find out whether LCI was able to detect any early involvement of small airways in stable asthmatic children and if was more sensitive than spirometry to detect bronchoreversibility after salbutamol administration.
METHODS We performed spirometry and N2-Multiple Breath Wash Out (N2-MBW, Exhalyzer D, Ecomedix) in a group of stable asthmatic patients and in a group of healthy children. In the first group we repeated spirometry and N2-MBW after administration of 400μg of salbutamol
RESULTS 12 asthmatic children (mean age: 6.0 yrs) and 9 healthy controls (mean age: 5.4 yrs) were tested. Basal FEV1 and basal LCI were no statistically different between the 2 groups. After the administration of Salbutamol the increase of FEV1 was of 5%. Among the asthmatic group LCI after the administration of salbutamol showed a statistically significant decrease (p=0.009)
CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that basal LCI was not different between the two groups. In asthmatic patients it could be more sensitive then spirometry in detecting bronchoreversibility.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
