Open AccessClinical characteristics, lung function and airway inflammatory patterns of Brazilian children with severe therapy‐resistant asthma
Author(s) -
Andrea Rodrigues,
Santos Giovana,
Souza Rodrigo,
Vargas Mauro,
Roncada Cristian,
Pinto Leonardo,
Jones Marcus,
Stein Renato,
Pitrez Paulo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical and translational allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.979
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2045-7022
DOI - 10.1186/2045-7022-5-s2-p5
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , spirometry , sputum , lung function , allergy , pediatrics , immunology , pulmonary function testing , airway , lung , pathology , anesthesia , tuberculosis
Results 20 children with STRA (mean age: 11.3±2.9 years; 62% males) were included, and paired with 70 children with mild asthma and 27 healthy controls. 18/20 (90%) STRA children were atopic, and only 2/20 (10%) were sensitized to pets. Lung function from children with STRA was not different from the other groups studied. From 13 STRA children with induced sputum obtained, we have found seven, four and two neutrophilic, eosinophilic and paucigranulocytic patterns, respectively. The number/percentage of inflammatory cells and pattern of sputum inflammation were not different between children with STRA (n=13) and milder asthma (n=70). From 5 sputums repeated in STRA children, 4 (80%) had the inflammatory pattern changed. Six STRA patients are under omalizumab treatment. Conclusion Children with STRA have nearly normal lung function and their airway inflammatory pattern seems not to be different from children with milder asthma. The mechanisms involved in the uncontrolled disease of children with STRA are not clear and should be better addressed in future studies.