Bronchial Responsiveness and Lung Function in a Cohort of College Students of Medical Technology: I. Prevalence of Bronchial Asthma
Resource
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL AND LABORATORY SCIENCES v.14 n.3 pp.53-57
Journal
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL AND LABORATORY SCIENCES
Journal Volume
v.14
Journal Issue
n.3
Pages
53-57
Date Issued
2002
Date
2002
Author(s)
SU, LI-HUEI
YANG, SHIEH-CHING
Abstract
To investigate the prevalence of bronchial asthma in young adults, a sample of 163 college students of Medical Technology were asked to complete a standard questionnaire, and then evaluated with tests for conventional spirometry and bronchial provocation. Bronchial responsiveness was determined by methacholine challenge and continuous measure- ment of respiratory resistance (Rrs). The diagnosis of asthma was based upon a past history of reversible whee- zing attacks, and upon a demonstrable bronchial hyper- responsiveness. Our data revealed that the prevalence of bronchial asthma in these subjects was 16% (26/163). Asthmatic subjects had significantly reduced values for forced vital capacity(FVC)/forced expiratory volume in 1s( FEV1) as well as elevated baseline Rrs values than did normal fubjects, although there were no differents in FVC and FEV1 between the two groups. The cumulative dose of methacholine(Dc) at the point where Rrs started to increase prominently duringbronchial provocation was 3.0+- 1.9 units. We conclude that the prevalence of asthma in young adults may be more accurately estimated with the aid of lung function testing.
Subjects
asthma
bronchial responsiveness
prevalence
LUNG FUNCTION
methacholine challenge