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- Bisgaard, H, et al.
(author)
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Determinants of lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic children
- 2007
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 101:7, s. 1477-1482
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundAsthma patients exhibit an increased rate of loss of lung function. Determinants to such decline are largely unknown and the modifying effect of steroid therapy is disputed. This cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate factors contributing to such decline and the possible modifying effect of steroid treatment.MethodsWe analyzed determinants of lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in a Scandinavian study of 2390 subjects from 550 families. Families were selected for the presence of two or more asthmatic children as part of a genetic study, Scandinavian Asthma Genetic Study (SAGA).ResultsThe primary analysis studied the association between the lung function and delay of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) after asthma diagnosis among asthmatic children and young adults with a history of regular ICS treatment (N=919). FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1% pred) was 0.25% lower per year of delay from diagnosis until treatment (p=0.039). This association was significantly greater in allergy skin prick test negative children. There was no significant influence of gender, age at asthma onset, or smoking.In the secondary analysis of the whole population of 2390 asthmatics and non-asthmatics, FEV1% pred was inversely related to having asthmatic siblings (−7.9%; p<0.0001), asthma diagnosis (−2.7%; p=0.0007), smoking (−3.5%; p=0.0027), and positive allergy skin prick test (−0.47% per test; p=0.012), while positively related to being of female gender (1.8%; p=0.0029). Risk of AHR was higher by having asthmatic siblings (OR 2.7; p<0.0001), being of female gender (OR 2.0; p<0.0001), and having asthma (OR 2.0; p<0.0001).ConclusionsThese data suggest that lung function is lower in asthmatics with delayed introduction of ICS therapy, smoking, and positive allergy skin prick test. Lung function is lower and AHR higher in female asthmatics and subjects with asthmatic siblings or established asthma.
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| 2. |
- Benson, Mikael, 1954, et al.
(author)
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Increased expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
- 2002
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In: Cytokine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1043-4666 .- 1096-0023. ; 20:6, s. 268-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Increased vascular dilatation and permeability characterize allergic rhinitis. In this study oligonucleotide microarrays (Affymetrix HuGe95A) were used to identify differentially expressed vasoactive genes in nasal biopsies from 23 patients with symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and 12 healthy controls. RNA was extracted from the biopsies and pooled in three patient and three control pools. Out of 12,626 analysed transcripts, 39 were higher and 81 lower in the patients. Of these transcripts two have vasoactive effects: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) and the Beta-1-Adrenergic Receptor. Both were higher in patients than in controls. The mean +/- SEM expression levels in arbitrary units of VEGF-A were 130 +/- 123 in the patients and 59 +/- 53 in the controls. The fold ratio in expression levels between patients/controls was 2.2. The corresponding values for the beta-1-adrenergic receptor were 129 +/- 123 in the patients and 40 +/- 31 in the controls. The fold ratio between patient/controls was 3.2. The role of VEGF-A was assessed by determining VEGF-A concentrations in nasal fluids from another 30 patients with SAR before and after allergen provocation. VEGF-A increased from 124.3 +/- 30.2 to 163.2 +/- 37.8 pg/ml after challenge, P < 0.05. In summary, oligonucleotide microarray analysis of nasal biopsies and protein analyses of nasal fluids indicate that VEGF-A may be an important mediator in SAR.
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| 3. |
- Dahl, Ronald, et al.
(author)
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Nordic consensus report on asthma management. Nordic Asthma Consensus Group.
- 2000
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In: Respiratory medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 94:4, s. 299-327
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The work with the Nordic consensus report on asthma management started some years ago. The Nordic countries have common socioeconomic conditions. We acknowledge the international as well as other European guidelines providing valuable recommendations. Nevertheless, we felt the need to combine the common Nordic experiences in order to have a local statement of asthma and asthma care, based upon Nordic clinical science and tradition. The work has been rewarding and we acknowledge many valuable contributions from paediatricians, allergologists and lung physicians in all Nordic countries. The response has so far been positive and we feel that the present material reflects the main opinion of Nordic physicians taking care of asthma patients of all ages. However, the asthma and allergy research field is rapidly developing. Thus, this document should merely be regarded as a time-limited contribution to the continuing scientific discussion of this fascinating field.
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