Resp Care
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Recent studies have demonstrated a greater prevalence in exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in obese adolescents. However, the role of pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines and the repercussions of obesity treatment on EIB need to be explored further. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines on EIB in obese adolescents evaluated after long-term interdisciplinary therapy. ⋯ In the present study it was demonstrated that 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy decreased EIB frequency in obese adolescents, paralleled by an increase in lung function and improvement in pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines.
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Bronchial remodeling is currently known to affect not only patients with asthma, but also COPD patients. Some studies have demonstrated that basement membrane thickening and destruction of the bronchial epithelium are also found in COPD. The aim of the study was to compare the basement membrane thickness (BMT) and epithelial damage in biopsy specimens from patients with asthma and COPD. ⋯ BMT might be a histopathological parameter helpful in distinguishing asthma and COPD patients, whereas the extent and pattern of epithelial damage is not.
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Ventilatory inefficiency increases ventilatory demand; corresponds to an abnormal increase in the ratio of minute ventilation (V_dot(E)) to CO(2) production (V_dot(CO(2))); represents increased dead space, deregulation of respiratory control, and early lactic threshold; and is associated with expiratory flow limitation that enhances dynamic hyperinflation and may limit exercise capacity. ⋯ Ventilatory inefficiency correlates with a reduction in exercise capacity in COPD patients. Including this parameter in the evaluation of exercise limitation in this patient population may mean a contribution toward the understanding of its pathophysiology.