fluticasone and Dyspnea

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and progression to disability and death are accelerated. COPD management goals include preventing or slowing the progressive loss of lung function, relieving symptoms, improving exercise tolerance and the patient's health status, preventing and treating exacerbations and complications, minimizing side effects of treatment, and reducing mortality. Although lung function is important for diagnosis of COPD and classification of its severity, clinicians and patients are also very interested in symptoms, ability to function, and general well-being (health status). Consequently, increasing attention is being given to these patient-centered outcomes. It is possible to modify patient-centered outcomes; however, it remains to be seen whether doing so can also alter the natural course of the disease and reduce mortality. Two long-term clinical trials--Towards a Revolution in COPD Health (TORCH) and Understanding the Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT)--will help to answer the question of whether pharmacologic interventions are effective in changing the clinical course of COPD. The TORCH study examines the long-term effects of combination therapy with an inhaled long-acting beta-agonist (salmeterol) and a corticosteroid (fluticasone) on reduction of all-cause mortality over 3 years. The 4-year UPLIFT study examines the effects of maintenance treatment with the once-daily anticholinergic bronchodilator tiotropium on the yearly rate of decline in trough FEV1 and the yearly rate of decline in FEV1 90 minutes after maximal or near-maximal bronchodilator administration. This article examines the rationale for each of these studies and provides an overview of study methodology as well as preliminary demographic data.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Aged; Albuterol; Androstadienes; Bronchodilator Agents; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Health Status; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Admission; Patient-Centered Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Salmeterol Xinafoate; Scopolamine Derivatives; Severity of Illness Index; Tiotropium Bromide; Treatment Outcome

Options to treat and prevent episodic wheezing in children are scarce. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of intermittent tiotropium bromide treatment in early childhood episodic wheezing.. This 48-week, randomized, open-label, controlled, parallel-group trial was conducted at 4 hospitals in Finland. Children aged 6 to 35 months with 2 to 4 physician-confirmed episodes of wheeze and/or shortness of breath were considered eligible. Study participants were randomly allocated to receive 1 of 3 treatments: once-daily tiotropium bromide 5 µg for 7 to 14 days during respiratory tract infections and as-needed albuterol sulfate 0.2 mg (n = 27), twice-daily fluticasone propionate 125 µg for 7 to 14 days during respiratory tract infections and as-needed albuterol sulfate 0.2 mg (n = 25), or as-needed albuterol sulfate 0.2 mg alone (n = 28). The primary outcome was efficacy, assessed as intention-to-treat by comparing the proportion of episode-free days (the days lacking symptoms or treatments) between the treatment groups.. The proportion of episode-free days was higher in those receiving intermittent tiotropium bromide (median 97% [interquartile range, 93% to 99%]) than in those receiving intermittent fluticasone propionate (87% [78% to 93%], P = .002), or with as-needed albuterol sulfate alone (88% [79% to 95%], P = .003). Adjustment with allergic sensitization, the baseline number of physician-confirmed episodes of wheeze and/or shortness of breath, or short-course glucocorticoid treatment in the 2 weeks before the enrollment, did not affect the result. Intervention-related adverse events were not seen.. Intermittent tiotropium bromide treatment may be an effective alternative to current therapies for episodic wheezing. Before implementation of use, further research on safety and efficacy is indicated.

Topics: Albuterol; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Dyspnea; Fluticasone; Humans; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Tiotropium Bromide; Treatment Outcome

Directly recorded patient experience of symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can complement lung function and exacerbation rate data in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical studies. The FULFIL study recorded daily symptoms and activity limitation together with additional patient-reported outcomes of dyspnea and HRQoL, as part of the prespecified analyses. FULFIL co-primary endpoint data have been previously reported.. FF/UMEC/VI showed greater reductions from baseline in 4-weekly mean E-RS: COPD total and all subscale scores compared with BUD/FOR; differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) at each time period. FF/UMEC/VI also demonstrated greater improvements from baseline at weeks 4 and 24 in SGRQ domain scores and TDI focal score compared with BUD/FOR. At weeks 4 and 24, improvements greater than the minimal clinically important difference from baseline were observed in CAT score with FF/UMEC/VI, but not BUD/FOR; differences were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.003).. These findings demonstrate sustained daily symptom and HRQoL benefits of FF/UMEC/VI versus BUD/FOR. The inclusion of the CAT may provide data that are readily generalizable to everyday clinical practice.. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02345161.. GSK.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adult; Benzyl Alcohols; Bronchodilator Agents; Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination; Chlorobenzenes; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Quinuclidines; Surveys and Questionnaires

Bronchodilator therapy is the backbone of the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In some patients, inhaled corticosteroids can be prescribed in combination with bronchodilators. Through a subgroup analysis of pooled data from two large phase III clinical trials of bronchodilator therapy according to concomitant inhaled corticosteroid use (user vs. non-user), we sought to evaluate the clinical benefit of adding inhaled corticosteroids to dual bronchodilator therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The primary focus of this analysis of pooled data from the phase III ACLIFORM and AUGMENT studies was to evaluate the efficacy of aclidinium/formoterol on lung function stratified by inhaled corticosteroid use. We found that lung-function end points were significantly improved regardless of concomitant inhaled corticosteroid use among patients treated with the dual bronchodilator aclidinium/formoterol 400/12 µg twice daily compared with placebo and both monotherapies. Together with the previously reported observations that aclidinium/formoterol 400/12 µg reduces exacerbations vs. placebo in inhaled corticosteroid users and improves dyspnoea compared to monotherapy in inhaled corticosteroid non-users, these data suggest that both groups achieve lung function improvements, which translates to different clinical benefits depending on whether or not a patient is receiving concomitant inhaled corticosteroids.CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE: 'TRIPLE' THERAPY COULD PROVE BENEFICIAL: A dual bronchodilator therapy taken together with corticosteroid inhalers may benefit patients with severe chronic lung disease. Bronchodilator drugs relax the lungs and widen airways in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While recent studies have shown that a dual bronchodilator therapy containing aclidinium and formoterol significantly improves lung function in COPD, little is known about combining the dual therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). Anthony D'Urzo at the University of Toronto, Canada, and co-workers analysed data from 3394 patients with COPD undergoing dual therapy trials. Of these, 1180 were already taking ICSs. The team compared symptoms in the ICS group with those not taking ICSs. The dual therapy improved lung function across both groups regardless of ICS use, though patients gained different clinical benefits depending on ICS use and disease severity.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Aged; Beclomethasone; Bronchodilator Agents; Budesonide; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Formoterol Fumarate; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tropanes

Asthma guidelines use symptoms as the most important aspect of asthma control. Symptom perception varies widely between individuals. Over-perception as well as underperception of bronchoconstriction could have a negative effect on asthma management. We hypothesized that perception of bronchoconstriction in childhood asthma is not related to common measures of disease control. For that reason, we examined the clinical determinants of the perception of bronchoconstriction and the repeatability of perception measurements.. In school-age children with moderately severe atopic asthma, we measured the perception of bronchoconstriction (decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) during methacholine bronchoprovocation challenges. The perception of bronchoconstriction was assessed as the slope of the relation between FEV(1) and Borg score, and as the Borg score at a 20% decrease in FEV(1) from baseline during the provocation test (PS(20)). Data from subjects who had a 20% or more decrease in FEV(1) (n = 112) were used for the analysis. Fifty-four children repeated the test after 3 months. Symptoms, use of rescue medication, and peak expiratory flows were scored in diaries during the 2 weeks before testing.. Symptom perception was significantly better in children without (PD(20) > 1570 μg, n = 28) than in children with airway hyperresponsiveness (PD(20) ≤ 1570 μg, n = 112), slope 0.22 versus 0.13 respectively (p < .001). Borg scores correlated with PD(20) (p = .01), baseline FEV(1) (only for slope, p = .04), and use of rescue beta agonist (p = .01), but not with other aspects of asthma control. Repeatability of Borg scores was good (slope: R = 0.59, PS(20): R = 0.52).. Poorer symptom perception in asthmatic children correlated with hyperresponsiveness, and was associated with lower baseline FEV(1) and less use of rescue bronchodilators. This suggests that the measurement of symptom perception should be taken into account in individual management plans for children with asthma.

Topics: Adolescent; Albuterol; Androstadienes; Anti-Allergic Agents; Asthma; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Bronchoconstriction; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Perception; Salmeterol Xinafoate

Combination therapy with corticosteroid and long-acting β(2)-agonists (LABA) in a single inhaler is associated with superior effects on airway function and exercise performance in COPD compared with LABA monotherapy. The physiological effects of adding inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy to maintenance bronchodilator therapy (long-acting anticholinergics and LABA singly or in combination) in COPD are unknown.. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study (NCT00387036) to compare the effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate 500 μg (FP500) twice-daily and placebo (PLA) on airway function during rest and exercise, measured during constant work rate cycle exercise at 75% of maximum incremental cycle work rate, in 17 patients with COPD (FEV(1) ≤ 70% predicted).. After treatment with FP500 compared to PLA, there were significant increases in post-dose measurements of FEV(1) (+115 mL, P = 0.006) and the FEV(1)/FVC ratio (+2.5%, P = 0.017), along with decreases in plethysmographic residual volume (-0.32L; P = 0.031), functional residual capacity (-0.30L, P = 0.033), and total lung capacity (-0.30L, P = 0.027) but no changes in vital capacity or inspiratory capacity (IC). Post-treatment comparisons demonstrated a significant improvement in endurance time by 188 ± 362 s with FP500 (P = 0.047) with no concomitant increase in dyspnea intensity. End-inspiratory and end-expiratory lung volumes were reduced at rest and throughout exercise with FP500 compared with PLA (P < 0.05).. Inhaled FP500 monotherapy was associated with consistent and clinically important improvements in FEV(1), static lung volumes, dynamic operating lung volumes, and exercise endurance when added to established maintenance long-acting bronchodilator therapy in patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Topics: Aged; Androstadienes; Bronchodilator Agents; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Dyspnea; Exercise; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Rest; Treatment Outcome

The synergistic interactions between pharmacotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation has been provided, but it remains to be established whether this may also apply to more severe patients.. We have examined whether tiotropium enhances the effects of exercise training in patients with advanced COPD (FEV(1)

Topics: Aged; Albuterol; Androstadienes; Bronchodilator Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Synergism; Dyspnea; Exercise Tolerance; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Male; Pilot Projects; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Salmeterol Xinafoate; Scopolamine Derivatives; Tiotropium Bromide; Treatment Outcome

The effects of inhaled steroids upon the quality of life of patients with bronchiectasis remain unknown.. To analyze the effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) for 6 months upon the clinical, functional, microbiological and outcome parameters of patients with steady-state bronchiectasis not due to cystic fibrosis, and its repercussions for patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL).. Prospective, randomized, double-blind (for effective doses) study.. The diagnosis of bronchiectasis was made by high-resolution computed tomography. Ninety-three patients (mean age: 68.5 [8.4]) were randomized to receive 250 microg bid, 500 microg bid or no treatment with inhaled FP for 6 months. Data were collected at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the start of treatment. HRQoL was assessed using the validated Spanish version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire.. The group administered FP 1000 microg daily showed significant improvement in dyspnea (1.03 [2.1]-1.24 [2.2] points; P = 0.01-0.04), sputum production (P = 0.001), days without cough (P = 0.02) and short-acting beta-2 agonists used (P = 0.01) from the first month of treatment, with no changes in pulmonary function, number or severity of exacerbations, or microbiological profile of the sputum. As a result, an improvement in HRQoL was seen in this group after 3 months of treatment (45.4 [14.2] vs. 40.5 [13.9]; P = 0.01).. Inhalatory FP 500 microg bid is effective from the first month of treatment for controlling the symptoms of patients with steady-state bronchiectasis-thus ensuring a significant improvement in HRQoL.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Aged; Androstadienes; Bronchiectasis; Bronchodilator Agents; Cough; Double-Blind Method; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Respiratory Sounds; Vital Capacity

It is now well recognised that heparin possesses numerous anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its anticoagulant properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin (ENX), as an add-on therapy for a period of 12 weeks, to inhaled salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SLM/FP) combination in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Forty-six patients were randomised to receive 12 weeks of treatment in one of two treatment groups: (1) fixed combination of SLM 50 microg and FP 500 microg Diskus, one inhalation twice daily; or (2) as group 1 plus 20 mg ENX administered subcutaneously once daily for 12 weeks. Patients attended the clinic before and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment for evaluations of lung function, blood gas tensions, dyspnoea and supplemental salbutamol use. Thirty-six patients completed the 12-week treatment period, 20 from group 1 and 16 from group 2. A significant increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) over baseline was observed after 12 weeks of treatment in group 1 (0.145 L, 95% CI: 0.994-1.406, p<0.01), whilst significant increases in FEV1 over baseline were observed in group 2 after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with a maximum increase at 12 weeks of 0.244 L (95% CI: 1.175-1.596, p<0.01). Both treatment groups experienced similar improvements in blood gas tensions, dyspnoea and supplemental salbutamol use. Our results suggest that addition of ENX to conventional therapy of COPD may provide additional clinical benefit and must be further investigated as a treatment for COPD.

Topics: Aged; Albuterol; Androstadienes; Anticoagulants; Blood Gas Analysis; Bronchodilator Agents; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Dyspnea; Enoxaparin; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Salmeterol Xinafoate; Vital Capacity

Combined treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta2 agonists is approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about the onset of effect of the combination.. Data were used from 1465 patients with COPD entered into a large 1 year double blind trial with daily measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and symptom scores.. PEF was significantly higher after 1 day in patients treated with salmeterol 50 microg twice daily or the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination 50/500 microg twice daily than placebo. In patients treated with fluticasone propionate 500 microg twice daily alone, PEF differed from placebo after 2 days. The differences after 2 weeks compared with placebo were 16 l/min (95% confidence interval (CI) 11 to 21), 11 l/min (95% CI 6 to 16), and 27 l/min (95% CI 22 to 33) for salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, and the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination, respectively. For all treatments the effect on PEF after 2 weeks was comparable to that seen at the end of the study. The difference between the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination and placebo after 2 weeks as a percentage of baseline was similar for PEF and clinic forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Differences in breathlessness scores were statistically significant after 1 day for the group treated with salmeterol alone and after 2 days for the combination group. The 2 week change in FEV1 was only partly indicative of a long term response in individual patients.. The effects of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, alone or in combination, on PEF and breathlessness are seen within days and most of the obtainable effect on these parameters is reached within 2 weeks.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Albuterol; Analysis of Variance; Androstadienes; Bronchodilator Agents; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Salmeterol Xinafoate; Treatment Outcome; Vital Capacity

This is the first comparison of two combination therapies, fluticasone propionate/salmeterol and ipratropium bromide/albuterol (salbutamol), for the treatment of patients with COPD.. A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group, multicenter evaluation of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250/50 microg twice daily via DISKUS and ipratropium bromide/albuterol 36/206 microg four times daily via metered-dose inhaler over 8 weeks was conducted at 41 research sites in the US. Morning pre-dose FEV(1), 6-hour serial spirometry, PEF, dyspnea, night-time awakenings, supplemental albuterol use, and patient diary evaluations of symptoms were evaluated.. A total of 365 patients with symptomatic COPD were enrolled. The treatment groups were similar in mean age (63.3 and 63.9 years), screening pulmonary function (44.1% and 43.2% of predicted FEV(1)), race (96% and 95% White), and sex distribution (59% and 60% male). Both fluticasone propionate/salmeterol and ipratropium bromide/albuterol improved lung function, symptoms, and supplemental albuterol use compared with baseline. Fluticasone propionate/salmeterol was more effective than ipratropium bromide/albuterol for improvement in morning pre-dose FEV(1), morning PEF, 6-hour FEV(1) area under the curve (AUC(6)), Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) focal score, daytime symptom score, night-time awakenings, sleep symptoms, and albuterol-free nights (p < or = 0.013). Compared with day 1, at week 8 the FEV(1) AUC(6) significantly increased with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol and significantly decreased with ipratropium bromide/albuterol (p < or = 0.003). The incidence of adverse events was similar between treatment groups, except for a higher incidence of oral candidiasis with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol.. Short-term treatment with the combined inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist fluticasone propionate/salmeterol resulted in greater control of lung function and symptoms than combined ipratropium bromide/albuterol bronchodilator therapy, in patients with COPD.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Albuterol; Androstadienes; Bronchodilator Agents; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Ipratropium; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Salmeterol Xinafoate; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

This study was designed in order to establish the perception of breathlessness during rest and while breathing against resistance, in patients with asthma, before and after 8 weeks of inhaled glucocorticoids (IGC) treatment and to compare these parameters in patients with and without improvement in FEV1. Sixty-seven asthmatic patients, with moderate asthma, attending the asthma clinic, and 20 normal subjects were studied. After a 2-week run-in period, in which the subjects were asked to use exclusively beta2-agonists as needed, the asthmatic patients were randomized to receive either treatment with IGC, 250 microg of fluticasone propionate (FP) twice a day, via a diskhaler (47 patients), or to receive placebo (20 patients) and to serve as a control group, for 8 weeks. Spirometry and measurements for the sensation of dyspnoea were performed before and at the end of the treatment period. The mean dyspnoea score during breathing against resistance was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the patients with asthma than in normal subjects, before entering the study. Following 8 weeks of inhaled FP, there was a significant improvement in the mean dyspnoea score during breathing against resistance in the asthmatics receiving IGCs but not in the control group (P<005). In the study group 32 patients had an improved FEV1 > 15% and 15 patients did not. There was a statistically significant difference in perception of dyspnoea (P<0.01), between the group of patients with a improved FEV1 and the group of patients that were under IGC treatment without improvement in their FEV1. There was also a difference in the mean beta2-agonists consumption between the two groups (P<0.01). Asthmatic patients have a significantly lower perception of dyspnoea compared to normal subjects. IGC treatment was associated with increased perception of dyspnoea. However, this improvement was noted only in patients with improved FEV1, while the patients without improvement remained with an equal degree of dyspnoea perception and beta2-agonists consumption.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Administration, Topical; Adult; Androstadienes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asthma; Dyspnea; Female; Fluticasone; Forced Expiratory Volume; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Perception; Time Factors; Vital Capacity

Basic lung and heart ultrasound examination combined with chest X-ray (TUSX) is currently considered to be very useful for differentiation of asthma, chronic bronchitis and laryngeal paralysis from other diseases with dyspnea/coughing. Among 252 client-owned animals with persistent dyspnea/cough/noisy breathing, in 197 of them: pulmonary edema, pneumonia, lung cancer, free pleural fluid, pneumothorax, lung contusion or heart disease were diagnosed. The remaining 55 animals (42 dogs and 13 cats) were diagnosed with asthma (in 13 cats), chronic bronchitis (in 37 dogs) and laryngeal paralysis (in 5 dogs) using TUSX. These animals were qualified for inhaled fluticasone treatment using 3 types of spacers - two commercial and a home- -made mask. 36 animals (65.5%) completed the trail. In 26 of them (72.2%) the owners observed complete, long lasting relief of the symptoms, and the owners of 7 animals (19.5%) declared a considerable clinical improvement, regardless of the type of spacer used. The owners of 3 animals (8.3%) did not see any improvement. The proposed diagnostic and therapeutic management improved long-term clinical status of the vast majority (91.7%) of animals. Therefore, it seems justified to include the TUSX diagnostic protocol in daily veterinary practice and to encourage owners to prepare home-made face masks for inhaled fluticasone treatment.

Topics: Animals; Asthma; Bronchitis, Chronic; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Dyspnea; Fluticasone; Lung; Vocal Cord Paralysis; X-Rays

Topics: Animals; Anorexia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antinematodal Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diagnosis, Differential; Dyspnea; Endoscopy; Female; Fenbendazole; Fluticasone; Granuloma, Respiratory Tract; Heart Murmurs; Lethargy; Male; Prednisolone; Radiography, Thoracic; Respiratory Sounds; Tachypnea; Trachea; Tracheal Diseases; Tracheal Neoplasms

A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of dyspnea, wheezing, and a productive cough. Eight years before presentation, bronchial asthma was diagnosed and the patient received inhaled corticosteroids plus antiasthmatic agents (a long-acting inhaled beta2-agonist, leukotriene modifiers, and theophylline). Chest radiography showed small diffuse nodular shadows, and a computed tomographic scan showed thickening of the bronchi and bronchioles, with diffuse centrilobular nodules in both lung fields. A blood test and microscopic examination of the bronchoalveolar fluid revealed marked eosinophilia. Transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial biopsy showed eosinophilic bronchitis and bronchiolitis. After treatment with oral prednisolone (40 mg daily) and inhaled corticosteroids, the symptoms, blood eosinophilia, and radiographic findings improved. Recently, several similar cases of eosinophilic bronchiolitis have been reported. Studies of further cases and elucidation of the pathophysiology of eosinophilic bronchiolitis are necessary to establish a concept for this disease and to determine whether it should be classified as a subtype of bronchial asthma or as a distinct entity.

Topics: Androstadienes; Asthma; Bronchiolitis; Bronchitis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Bronchoscopy; Cough; Diagnosis, Differential; Dyspnea; Eosinophilia; Female; Fluticasone; Hematologic Tests; Humans; Middle Aged; Prednisolone; Radiography, Thoracic; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Sounds

Topics: Adolescent; Androstadienes; Asthma; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Dyspnea; Fatigue; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Male; Muscle Weakness