1991 Volume 41 Issue 1 Pages 1-9
We studied bronchial responsiveness in 325 asthmatic patients (200 boys and 125 girls, 0 to 18 years old, mean age, 8.7 years) and 133 disease control subjects (67 boys and 66 girls, 0 to 19 years old, mean age, 7.8 years). The bronchial responsiveness was measured by the methacholine inhalation challenge test. Those over six years old took the methacholine challenge using the Astograph method while those aged five or less used, the tcPO2-method. The tcPO2-method, which uses a transcutaneous oxygen pressure monitoring system, is useful for measuring bronchial responsiveness, especially in younger children.
Dmin (bronchial sensitivity) was statistically lower in the asthmatic groups than in age-matched disease control groups. St (bronchial reactivity) was not statistically different between the asthmatic and disease control groups. Dmin was statistically lower in children aged 6 to 7 (8.07±1.61unit) than that in children aged 14 to 15 (28.58±5.96unit). The results showed a significant correlation between age and bronchial responsiveness in asthmatic and disease control groups. But there was no significant correlation between age and bronchial reactivity in either group.
We found that age has a significant effect on bronchial hyper-responsiveness, especially in young children. When we evaluate the bronchial hyper-responsiveness in young children, we must consider the influence of age.
