Non-Invasive Markers of Airway Inflammation as a Predictor of Steroid Responsiveness of Asthma

Abstract

Astluna is a chronic inflammatory disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of symptoms of wheezing and chest tightness that are associated with airflow obstruction. Airway inflammation has been considered the primary event leading to airway obstruction and hyperi:'esponsiveness. The principal • pathological features of astluna include thickening and disorganization of the tissue of the airway wall with epithelial shedding, deposition of collagen under the basement . membrane, hypertrophy I hyperplasia of the smooth muscle, epithelial damage, occlusion of airway by . secretion, and infiltration of eosinophils and T-lymphocytes. The introduction of a method which is non-invasive, safe, easy and repeatable for analyzing the cellular and biochemical component of the airway secretions as induced sputum and blood investigation, allowed the direct measurement of airway inflammation. Inhaled steroid are the most effective agents in the management .of astluna at present, however, the efficacy of inhaled steroids in suppressing airway inflammation and in modifying the disease remain less well understood. The study was conducted in Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Chest Department. Twenty adult asthmatic patients with different degrees of severity were participated in our study. All patients were subjected to history, clinical examination, CIR, pulmonary function, provocation test, examination of induced sputum and blood for ECP and eosinophils initially and following course ofinhaled fluticasone propionate after 4 weeks. Data of all groups were statistically analyzed as shown in tables. • •