Recommendations for the management of cough in adults.
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BACKGROUND: Increased dietary intake of antioxidants has been associated with higher lung function, but few studies have used biological markers of antioxidant intake. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if antioxidant status, as measured by blood levels, influences lung function. DESIGN: Using a random subsample of 479 participants, aged 18-65 y old, from a larger cross-sectional observational study, the association of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) with plasma copper, vitamin C, vitamin E and serum selenium was assessed. RESULTS: An s.d. increase in blood copper level was associated with a difference in FEV1 of -48 ml (95% confidence intervals: -95, -2 ml, P = 0.04), vitamin C +49 ml (+4, +94, P = 0.03), vitamin E -15 ml (-62, +32, P = 0.53) and selenium +52 ml (+7, +96, P = 0.02). The sizes of association were not appreciably altered in a mutually adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of serum vitamin C and selenium appear to be associated with higher FEV1. The association between higher serum copper and lower FEV1 requires further study in view of the ubiquitous exposure to this mineral.
A hallmark of allergic disease is infiltration of the tissues with increased numbers of eosinophils. This is the result of the co-ordinated action of cytokines, particularly IL-5, CCR3 binding chemokines and the adhesion molecules P-selectin and VCAM-1, acting in concert to cause selective trafficking of eosinophils into allergic tissue. This process is orchestrated by the Th-2 allergen specific lymphocyte. While there is little data to support the view that eosinophils ameliorate the allergic process, although they could have an important role in the disordered repair that leads to permanently impaired function in some allergic diseases, the evidence that they cause many of the pathophysiological features of allergic disease, while strong, remains circumstantial. Much of the data could be interpreted just as easily to suggest that eosinophils are bystander cells; markers of a certain type of pathological process, but not impinging upon it. The most direct evidence for a pathological role rests on the toxicity of the eosinophil granule proteins for bronchial epithelium and the bronchoconstrictor actions of the sulphidopeptide leukotrienes. The actions of LT antagonists in asthma which are certainly beneficial, but in most cases are not as effective as glucocorticoids, could be interpreted both for and against the eosinophil. In this paper we have focused on the studies that ask most directly the question of whether eosinophils are important effector cells in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. We conclude with a qualified affirmative. Even if they are only bystander cells they remain clinically important as diagnostic markers and a guide to the management of allergic disease.
BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are believed to be critical proinflammatory cells in airway mucosal damage in asthma. Eotaxin is a C-C chemokine with selective activity for eosinophils and basophils. Previous studies have shown increased expression of eotaxin in the airways of asthmatics at baseline. We aimed to investigate eotaxin expression during the late-phase reaction to allergen inhalation in atopic asthmatics. METHODS: Sputum induction was performed before and 24 h after inhalational allergen challenge in atopic asthmatics, and eotaxin protein was detected immunocytochemically. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with a mean decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 28% (+/-1.5) during the early asthmatic reaction, and 39% (+/-4.7) during the late asthmatic reaction produced sufficient sputum for study. The percentage of eosinophils in sputum was increased 24 h after allergen challenge (P<0.004), and eosinophil percentages in sputum after challenge correlated with the magnitude of the late-phase reaction (r=0.56, P=0.05). The percentage of eotaxin-positive cells increased from 12.6% (range 2-43.8) to 24.3% (8.1-47.1, P<0.005). Allergen-induced increases in eotaxin-positive cells correlated with increases in eosinophils (r=0.63, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that eotaxin may contribute to allergen-induced recruitment of eosinophils to the airway in asthmatic subjects.
BACKGROUND: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a pivotal cytokine in the inflammation underlying asthma. The TNF gene is located in the polymorphic HLA class 3 region on chromosome 6p. Several polymorphisms in this region have been described and associated with alteration of TNF secretion in vitro. OBJECTIVE: In this study we tested the hypothesis that two such polymorphisms, lymphotoxin alpha NcoI B*1 and -308 TNF2 may be components of the genetic predisposition to asthma. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-six random individuals were studied, comprising approximately equal numbers of asthmatic subjects, with or without atopy, and a nonatopic nonasthmatic control group. In addition, 355 subjects (172 asthmatics) from 60 multiplex families were typed at the LTalpha NcoI locus. RESULTS: There was an association between allele two of the -308 TNF polymorphism and bronchial hyperreactivity (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.04-4.32, P = 0.036). However, there was no association with LTalpha NcoI alleles. To determine whether this was influenced by linkage disequilibrium within the MHC, 91 subjects with bronchial hyperreactivity and 85 control subjects were typed for class 2 and 3 alleles. Following identification of the extended TNF2 haplotype, we found no independent association of these alleles with BHR. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the -308 TNF2 promoter polymorphism may form a component of the genetic predisposition to BHR in asthma.
The kinetics of changes in inflammatory indices in induced sputum from eight prednisone dependent asthmatics whose minimum clinical maintenance and exacerbation doses were known were investigated. The study began on the last day of a course of 30 mg prednisone daily for one week. Thereafter, the daily prednisone was reduced in a structured way to below the maintenance dose. This treatment was continued until a clinical exacerbation occurred. Prednisone 30 mg daily was then given again for one week. The mean duration of prednisone reduction was 7.4 weeks and the median dose was 7.5 mg x day(-1). Increases in sputum eosinophils preceded increases in blood eosinophils by 4 weeks and worsening of symptoms and forced expiratory volume in one second by 6 weeks. The clinical exacerbation was also accompanied by sputum neutrophilia and increases in sputum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), fibrinogen and interleukin (IL)-5. Treatment with prednisone suppressed median sputum eosinophilia (from 16.3 to 0%, p<0.001), decreased sputum ECP (from 7,480 to 700 microg x L(-1), p = 0.01), but did not improve neutrophil numbers, fibrinogen or IL-5. The results show that the reduction of prednisone treatment in prednisone-dependent asthmatics evokes a severe airway eosinophilic inflammatory response. Clinical and blood indices deteriorate later than those in sputum suggesting that sputum examination may be useful to identify the minimum regular dose of prednisone required in these patients.
Researchers are increasingly looking for reliable non-invasive methods of assessing blood gas concentrations, and several new techniques have recently become available. Values derived using arterialized earlobe samples have been found to be comparable with conventional arterial samples, and recent studies have compared transcutaneous blood gas analysis with the traditional arterial samples and found a reasonable level of agreement in particular for the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. There are no data comparing oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures (pO2, pCO2) derived from arterialized samples with one of the newer transcutaneous techniques. We therefore simultaneously studied arterialized earlobe blood gas samples and values for pO2 and pCO2 obtained by a transcutaneous monitor (TINA, Radiometer, Copenhagen) in 26 subjects with varying blood gas values. There was a close agreement between the two methods for assessment of pCO2 [mean difference (95% C.I.) between transcutaneous and earlobe values 0.25 kPa (-0.004, 0.5 kPa)], but not for pO2 [1.71 kPa (0.35, 3.07 kPa)]. Similarly, the limits of agreement were narrow for pCO2 compared to those for pO2 (-0.98, 1.47 kPa and -6.44, 3.02 kPa respectively). We conclude that transcutaneous measurement of pCO2 using the TINA is acceptable in the research setting, whereas assessment of pO2 cannot reliably be made using this technique.
BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to assess the role of prostaglandins in asthma but their effects on bronchoconstrictor challenges have been inconsistent. The effects of three nebulised nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the airway response to inhaled sodium metabisulphite (MBS) and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) were compared in the same asthmatic subjects to see whether contractile prostaglandins were involved in MBS or AMP induced bronchoconstriction. A possible protective effect of the osmolarity or pH of the inhaled solutions was also assessed. METHODS: Two double blind placebo controlled studies were carried out. In study 1, 15 non-aspirin sensitive patients with mild asthma attended on four occasions and inhaled 5 ml of lysine aspirin (L-aspirin) 900 mg, indomethacin 50 mg, sodium salicylate 800 mg, or saline 20 minutes before an inhaled MBS challenge. On four further occasions 14 of the patients inhaled the same solutions followed by an inhaled AMP challenge. In study 2, 10 of the patients attended on four additional occasions and inhaled 5 ml of 0.9%, 3%, 10%, or 9.5% saline with indomethacin 50 mg 20 minutes before an inhaled MBS challenge. RESULTS: In study 1 inhaled lysine aspirin had a similar effect on MBS and AMP induced bronchoconstriction, increasing the provocative dose causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20) by 1.29 (95% CI 0.54 to 2.03) and 1.23 (95% CI 0.53 to 1.93) doubling doses, respectively. Indomethacin increased the MBS PD20 and AMP PD20 by 0.64 (95% CI -0.1 to 1.38) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.29 to 1.69) doubling doses, respectively. Sodium salicylate had no significant effect on either challenge. The two solutions causing most inhibition were the most acidic and the most alkaline. In study 2 inhaled 9.5% saline with indomethacin (osmolarity 3005 mOsm/kg) increased the MBS PD20 by 1.1 doubling doses (95% CI 0.2 to 2.0) compared with only 0.09 (95% CI -0.83 to 1.0) and 0.04 (95% CI -0.88 to 0.95) doubling doses with 3% saline (918 mOsm/kg) and 10% saline (2994 mOsm/ kg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled L-aspirin and indomethacin have broadly similar protective effects against MBS and AMP induced bronchoconstriction in the doses given, although the effect of indomethacin on MBS was not quite statistically significant. The osmolarity and pH of the solutions did not appear to be important determinants of the response. The effect of L-aspirin and indomethacin is likely to be the result of cyclooxygenase inhibition reducing the production of contractile prostaglandins during MBS and AMP challenge.
Inhaled heparin inhibits the early response to allergen and exercise-induced asthma, probably by inhibiting mast cell mediator release. Recent animal studies suggest that heparin might also inhibit cholinergic neurotransmission in asthma by restoring inhibitory M2 receptor function. We have tested the hypothesis that heparin inhibits neurally-mediated bronchoconstriction in asthma by examining the effect of inhaled heparin on bronchial reactivity to sodium metabisulphite. We also examined the effect of inhaled heparin on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction to exclude a direct effect on airway smooth muscle. Eleven patients with mild asthma inhaled nebulized heparin (1,000 U.kg-1) or placebo (normal saline) in a randomized, double-blind fashion, 10 min before a challenge with sodium metabisulphite. Nine patients were also challenged with methacholine after the same dose of heparin or placebo. Inhaled heparin did not significantly change forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), nor did it alter the provocative dose of sodium metabisulphite or methacholine required to cause a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20). Geometric mean sodium metabisulphite PD20 was 2.54 and 2.15 mumol after placebo and heparin, respectively (mean difference -0.24 doubling doses; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.64-0.17). Geometric mean methacholine PD20 was 1.00 and 1.51 mumol after placebo and heparin, respectively (mean difference 0.6 doubling doses; 95% CI -0.25-1.5). Thus, heparin inhaled at doses sufficient to inhibit allergen and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction has no effect on the response to sodium metabisulphite and methacholine challenge in asthma. This argues against an inhibitory effect on neural pathways or airway smooth muscle.
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is thought to be an important inhibitory modulator of inflammatory processes in the airway. Previous studies have shown that it is produced by bovine cultured airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells in large quantities, but its regulation by second messengers has not been studied in this tissue. To determine whether PGE2 production by ASM might be an important action of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in asthma, the regulation of PGE2 production by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was assessed using dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), forskolin, and albuterol. DBcAMP increased PGE2 production over a 24-h time course. Forskolin and albuterol both increased PGE2 production over control cells to similar levels after 24 h. Incubation of albuterol-treated cells with propranolol significantly (70%) reduced the stimulatory effect of albuterol on PGE2 production. Incubation of forskolin-treated cells with Rp-cAMP, a cAMP antagonist, inhibited the PGE2 response evoked by forskolin by 80%. Ro-20-1724, a selective inhibitor of type IV phosphodiesterase, stimulated PGE2 production (P = 0.02). Cycloheximide, a protein-synthesis inhibitor, did not inhibit the response to DBcAMP. The effects of DBcAMP were additive with the effects of bradykinin, a proinflammatory mediator known to increase PGE2 production (P < 0.05). These studies suggest that cAMP may play an important regulatory role in stimulating PGE2 production by ASM. This may be a novel beneficial action of beta-adrenoceptor agonists in asthma.
Inhaled furosemide prevents bronchoconstriction induced by a number of challenges in asthma. One approach to determine the mechanism underlying this protection has been to examine the effects of diuretics with different or overlapping pharmacologic effects. We have compared the effects of furosemide on sodium metabisulfite-induced bronchoconstriction with those of equivalent diuretic doses of ethacrynic acid, a loop diuretic that, unlike furosemide, does not interact directly with the membrane Na/K/Cl cotransporter protein or inhibit carbonic anhydrase. Eight subjects with mild asthma were studied on five occasions, receiving nebulized furosemide (20 and 40 mg), ethacrynic acid (25 and 50 mg), or placebo (normal saline) in random order and double-blind 10 min before a cumulative dose challenge with inhaled sodium metabisulfite. After placebo the geometric mean sodium metabisulfite PD20 was 7.9 mumol. Furosemide 20 mg and 40 mg increased the PD20 by a mean 1.1 (95% confidence interval, -0.2-2.4; p > 0.05) and 1.6 (0.4-2.9; p < 0.02) doubling doses to 17.1 and 24.7 mumol, respectively. After inhaled ethacrynic acid 25 mg and 50 mg, the geometric mean PD20 was increased by 0.9 (-0.4-2.2; p > 0.05) and 1.5 (0.2-2.8; p < 0.05) doubling doses to 14.5 and 22.4 mumol, respectively. Thus, equivalent diuretic doses of furosemide and ethacrynic acid have a similar inhibitory effect on sodium metabisulfite-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma. This suggests that interaction with the Na/K/Cl cotransporter protein, or carbonic anhydrase inhibition, is not relevant to the effects of furosemide in asthma.
Inhaled furosemide has been shown to protect subjects with asthma from bronchoconstriction induced by a wide variety of stimuli, including allergen, but the mechanism of action is controversial. We have used an in vitro model of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction to examine the effects of furosemide and other ion transport inhibitors. Human bronchial rings were passively sensitized by incubation with serum from an atopic donor and were challenged with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Allergen-challenged bronchial rings developed bronchoconstriction which was effectively inhibited by the cysteinyl-leukotriene antagonist ICI 198,615 (10(-7) M) and to a lesser extent by terfenadine (10(-5) M). Assessed over 60 min furosemide 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) M inhibited contractions by a mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) 7.9% (-23.5, 39.3%, p > 0.05), 44.2% (12.9, 75.2%, p < 0.01), and 86.9% (55.5, 118.3%, p < 0.001) respectively (n = 5). The same concentrations of bumetanide inhibited contractions by 21.5% (-8.4, 51.4%, p > 0.05), 13.6% (-16.3, 43.4%, p > 0.05) and 51.6% (21.7, 81.4%, p < 0.01) respectively (n = 5). The sodium transport inhibitor amiloride and the anion transport inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) were without effect (both 10(-4) M; n = 4). Furosemide increased PGE2 production by the bronchial rings by 134% (95% CI 53, 259%). Indomethacin (3 x 10(-6) M) blocked the furosemide-induced increase in PGE2 production and reduced the protection afforded by 10(-4) M furosemide against allergen-induced contractions from 67.9% to 34.7% (mean difference 33.2%; 95% CI 9.7, 56.6%; p < 0.01; n = 8).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Magnesium is involved in a wide range of biological activities, including some that may protect against the development of asthma and chronic airflow obstruction. We tested the hypothesis that high dietary magnesium intake is associated with better lung function, and a reduced risk of airway hyper-reactivity and wheezing in a random sample of adults. In 2633 adults aged 18-70 sampled from the electoral register of an administrative area of Nottingham, UK, we measured dietary magnesium intake by semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire, lung function as the 1-sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and atopy as the mean skin-prick test response to three common environmental allergens. We measured airway reactivity to methacholine in 2415 individuals, defining hyper-reactivity as a 20% fall in FEV1 after a cumulative dose of 12.25 mumol or less. Mean (SD) daily intake of magnesium was 380 (114) mg/day. After adjusting for age, sex, and height, and for the effects of atopy and smoking, a 100 mg/day higher magnesium intake was associated with a 27.7 (95% CI, 11.9-43.5) mL higher FEV1, and a reduction in the relative odds of hyper-reactivity by a ratio of 0.82 (0.72-0.93). The same incremental difference in magnesium intake was also associated with a reduction in the odds of self-reported wheeze within the past 12 months, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, atopy, and kilojoule intake, by a ratio of 0.85 (0.76-0.95). Dietary magnesium intake is independently related to lung function and the occurrence of airway hyper-reactivity and self-reported wheezing in the general population. Low magnesium intake may therefore be involved in the aetiology of asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.
Stimulation of exposed C-fibre afferent nerve endings by inflammatory mediators may contribute to airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction in asthma through the release of neuropeptides from collateral nerve endings. The polar opioid peptide 443c81 is a mu-opioid receptor agonist which inhibits C-fibre activation and non-cholinergic neurally mediated bronchoconstriction in animal models. We have compared the effect of 443c81 (5 ml of a 4 mg/ml solution nebulized) four times daily for 7 days with placebo on asthma control in a double-blind parallel group study of 40 subjects with mild asthma. Twenty subjects (12 male, mean FEV1 83% predicted) received placebo and 20 (15 male, mean FEV1 91% predicted) 443c81 after a 1 week run-in. Efficacy was assessed by comparing changes from baseline values in FEV1, provocative dose of histamine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20), symptom scores, bronchodilator use and home peak flow readings. 443c81 had no acute effect on FEV1 and the mean changes in FEV1 after 1 week of treatment were not significantly different (placebo -0.9%; 443c81-3.8%). One hour after the first dose of 443c81 PD20 increased from a geometric mean of 0.88 to 1.48 mumol (mean change 0.76 doubling doses; 95% CI 0.23, 1.29) but this did not differ significantly from the change with placebo (mean difference between 443c81 and placebo 0.63 doubling doses; 95% CI -0.2, 1.5; P = 0.095). After 1 week's treatment, PD20 was similar to baseline values with 443c81 (0.78 mumol) and placebo (baseline 0.71, post-treatment 0.93 mumol).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
1. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is thought to be an important inhibitory modulator of inflammatory processes in the airway. It inhibits inflammatory cell function and cholinergic neurotransmission in vitro and roles have been postulated in vivo in refractoriness and in the mechanism of action of the diuretic agent, frusemide. 2. The production of PGE2 by bovine cultured airway smooth muscle cells has been studied under a range of conditions. The effects of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (flurbiprofen, indomethacin, acetyl salicylic acid) on serum-induced production of PGE2 were assessed over a range of concentrations (10(-7)-10(-4) M). 3. Serum-stimulated production of PGE2 in control wells ranged from 350 to 800 ng PGE2 ml-1 in cells from different animals. All three cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors inhibited PGE2 production with an order of potency, flurbiprofen > indomethacin > acetyl salicylic acid. Log IC50 values were -6.24 for flurbiprofen, -5.23 for indomethacin and -3.50 for acetyl salicylic acid. 4. PGE2 production was stimulated by arachidonic acid (10(-5) M) or addition of the proinflammatory mediator, bradykinin (10(-8)-10(-5) M). 5. Incubation of cells for 24 h with 5 bromo deoxyuridine (BRDU) (10(-4) M) to prevent DNA synthesis did not alter PGE2 production in response to serum, suggesting that it was not a function of proliferation per se. 6. Our study suggests that airway smooth muscle may be an important source of PGE2. Production of PGE2 may be a novel feedback mechanism whereby airway smooth muscle cells can negatively modulate airways inflammation. The differing potencies of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors may explain the contrasting effect of these drugs in recent studies in asthma.
BACKGROUND: Exercise and inhaled sodium metabisulphite are thought to cause bronchoconstriction in asthma through different mechanisms. The response to both stimuli becomes refractory with repeat challenge. The mechanism of refractoriness is unclear, although depletion of mast cell derived mediators or neurotransmitters has been suggested. Recent studies suggest a common mechanism involving release of inhibitory prostaglandins. If this is true, exercise and sodium metabisulphite induced bronchoconstriction should show cross refractoriness. METHODS: Thirteen subjects with mild asthma and previously established exercise and sodium metabisulphite induced bronchoconstriction performed two sodium metabisulphite challenges (giving a single dose previously shown to cause a 20% fall in FEV1) on one study day, and two exercise tests on another. The second challenge proceeded after recovery (FEV1 > 95% baseline) from the first. Subjects then attended on two further occasions when an exercise test was performed after sodium metabisulphite and a sodium metabisulphite challenge after exercise. RESULTS: When expressed as the percentage reduction in the area under the change in percentage FEV1 curve over 20 minutes (AUC) the response to exercise was reduced by a mean 62.3% (95% CI 46.5% to 78.1%) following a first exercise challenge, and by 50.7% (95% CI 27.8% to 73.6%) following a sodium metabisulphite challenge. The response to a sodium metabisulphite challenge was reduced by a mean of 80.2% (95% CI 68.9% to 91.5%) when it followed a sodium metabisulphite challenge, and by 37.3% (95% CI 15.1% to 59.5%) following an exercise challenge. CONCLUSION: This study shows some cross refractoriness between exercise and sodium metabisulphite induced bronchoconstriction, in keeping with a partially shared mechanism of refractoriness.
BACKGROUND: High dietary sodium intake has been identified as a potential cause of asthma and airway hyperreactivity. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that dietary sodium intake is an independent determinant of the risk of hyperreactivity in the general population, and to assess the role of atopy in the association between these factors. METHODS: Airway reactivity to methacholine, atopy, 24 hour urinary sodium excretion, and self-reported smoking and symptom history were measured in a random sample of 1702 adults aged 18-70 from an administrative district of Nottingham. Hyperreactivity was defined as a PD20FEV1 of 12.25 mumol or less, and atopy was defined quantitatively as the mean allergen skin weal response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat fur, and grass pollen, and categorically as the occurrence of any allergen response 1 mm or greater than the saline control. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the independent relative odds of hyperreactivity, atopy, or symptoms in relation to sodium excretion in all 1702 subjects, and multiple linear regression to assess the independent relation between sodium excretion and mean allergen skin weal diameter, and the PD20 value amongst hyperreactive subjects. RESULTS: There was no relation between the relative odds of hyperreactivity to methacholine and 24 hour urinary sodium excretion, either before or after adjustment for age, smoking, allergen skin weal diameter, and sex, and similarly no relation if the analysis was restricted to men or women only. The relative odds of having at least one allergen skin test response 1 mm greater than the saline control were increased in relation to sodium excretion after adjustment for age, sex, and smoking by a ratio of 2.08 (95% CI 1.04 to 4.15) per log10 unit increase in sodium excretion, but there was no evidence of an association between sodium excretion and the occurrence of self-reported wheeze, hay fever, eczema, or asthma. There was no relation between 24 hour sodium excretion and the magnitude of the mean allergen skin weal response or the PD20 value. CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support the hypothesis that a high dietary sodium intake is a risk factor for airway hyperreactivity or atopic disease in the general adult population.
The factors that determine the occurrence of airway hyperreactivity in the general population are not clearly understood. This study was designed to assess the independent effects of age, atopy, smoking and airway calibre. In a random sample of 2,415 adults aged 18-70 yrs we measured reactivity to methacholine as the dose provoking a 20% fall (PD20) in one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), atopy as the mean skin wheal response to three common environmental allergens, and airway calibre as the baseline FEV1 in absolute terms, as percent predicted (FEV1 % predicted) and as percent forced vital capacity (FEV1 % FVC). Hyperreactivity, defined as a PD20 < or = 12.25 mumol, was present in 314 (13%) of the sample, and before adjustment for FEV1 was more common in females (independent odds ratio (OR) = 2.05 (95% confidence interval 1.6-2.7)), current smokers (OR = 1.89 (1.3-2.6)), atopics (OR = 1.39 (1.3-1.5) per mm skin wheal), and in older age groups (OR for age 60-70 yrs relative to 18-29 yrs = 2.70 (1.7-4.3)). However, the odds of hyperreactivity were also strongly and independently related to absolute FEV1 (OR = 0.46 (0.27-0.77) per litre), FEV1 % predicted (OR = 0.96 (0.94-0.98) per percent), and FEV1 % FVC (OR = 0.92 (0.90-0.94) per percent; combined chi-square on 3 df = 312, p << 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)