Abstract
Background: Persistent airflow limitation is common among patients with severe asthma, but its pathogenesis has not been fully clarified. Severe alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a risk factor for chronic airflow limitation and emphysema, and partially deficient phenotypes have been associated with an accelerated decline in lung function.
Aims: To estimate frequency of AATD in patients with persistent airflow limitation in severe asthma.
Methods: 207 patients with severe asthma and persistent airflow limitation (FEV1 <75% and reduced FEV1/FVC ratio) were included between 2013 and 2016.
All patients underwent determination of serum AAT levels by nephelometry. In those patients with serum levels under 120 mg/dL an allele specific genotyping assay was performed to detect the most prevalent variants (Z and S).
Statistical analysis was made with PAWS Statistics 18 © software.
Results: We found female predominance (64.2%), mean age: 56 years (range 23-70), 14.5% of active smokers, Mean alpha-1 antitrypsin was 137 mg/dL. Genotyping assay was made in 20.2% samples that were under cut-off. Deficient patients MZ=3 (1.45%), SS=1 (0.49%), and MS=12 (5.79%).
Conclusions: Prevalence of AATD in patients with severe asthma and airflow limitation is low. Routine assessment of AATD is not supported by this data therefore further studies are needed.
- Copyright ©the authors 2017
