Korean J Allergy.  1997 Sep;17(3):250-259.

Factors of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with chronic airflow obstruction

• Choi BW
• Park IW
• Choi JS
• Shin JW
• Lim SY
• Na MJ
• Hue SH
• Lee BH
• An CH
• Yoo JH
• Kim KS

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of allergic parameters, such as serum IgE, eosinophil, and skin test on the bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in patients with chronic airflow obstruction, we performed methacholine bronchial provocation test, pulmonary function test, skin prick test, and measured blood eosinophil counts and serum IgE level from seventy-nine patients who showed persistent fixed airflow obstruction, less than 75% of predicted value in FEV~ and FEV1/FVC, despite of conventional treatment without steroid therapy for more than 3 months. The results were as follows 1) There were 53 patients with BHR and 26 patients without BHR. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, and smoking duration between positive BHR group and negative BHR group (p>0.05). 2) There was no statistically significant difference in absolute and predicted value of FVC(p>0.05). But there were significantly lower absolute, predicted value of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% in positive group compared with negative group (p<0.05). 3) There was somewhat higher trend of serum IgE level in positive group. Skin test was not significantly different between two groups (p > 0.05 ). 4) Blood eosinophil count was significantly higher in positive group than in negative group(p<0.05). Conclusion of this study is that increased bronchial responsiveness in patients with chronic airflow obstruction is inversely related to the level of pulmonary function and significantly associated with blood eosinophilia.

MeSH Terms

Bronchial Provocation Tests
Eosinophilia
Eosinophils
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Methacholine Chloride
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Respiratory Function Tests
Skin
Skin Tests
Smoke
Smoking
Immunoglobulin E
Methacholine Chloride
Smoke