Specificities of small airways dysfunction development in patients with mild asthma

Abstract

The study goal was to identify specificities of small airways dysfunction development (SAD) in patients with mild asthma. Material and Methods — The study involved 114 patients with mild asthma. Depending on the condition of their small airways, the patients were split among two groups: Group 1 of 94 patients with asthma without SAD (82.5%); Group 2 of 20 patients with asthma and SAD (17.5%). The control group consisted of 25 volunteers. SAD was diagnosed by the presence of air trapping and hyperinflation. Results — SAD was diagnosed in 17.5% of patients with mild asthma. The development of SAD was observed in 80% of asthma patients with ailment duration of over 5 years and family history of asthma. Obesity was diagnosed 1.7 times more often in patients with SAD compared with those without it. Food allergy, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria and bronchial obstruction were identified two or more times more often in patients with SAD compared with those without it. Among all patients with mild asthma and SAD, bronchial obstruction was detected in 55% of cases. Conclusion — The development of SAD in the presence of mild asthma is characteristic for patients with ailment duration over 5 years, family history of asthma, obesity, predominant sensitization to food allergens, and concomitant non-pulmonary allergic diseases. Bronchial obstruction is not the obligatory feature of SAD development in presence of mild asthma.