the e-selectin mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells with leukocytes and plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of asthma. it has been suggested that an s/r (serine128arginine) polymorphism of e-selectin alters ligand binding function. our purpose in this study was to determine whether this serine128arginine polymorphism influences the risk of asthma and also to analyze ...

DEFINITIONS OF SEVERE ASTHMA Nomenclature is important in severe asthma. One of the first definitions of ‘difficult asthma’ was made by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force.5 This definition was based on the number of exacerbations, severity of symptoms, doses of ICS, add-on medication and SABA. Following this, an American Thoracic Society (ATS) workshop established the term ‘refra...

BACKGROUND The clinical manifestations of severe asthma are heterogeneous. Some individuals with severe asthma develop irreversible fixed airway obstruction, which is associated with poor outcomes. We therefore investigated the factors associated with fixed airway obstruction in Korean patients with severe asthma. METHODS Severe asthma patients from a Korean adult asthma cohort were divided i...

Anticholinergic bronchodilators such as tiotropium, a potent long-acting drug, are central to the symptomatic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its role in asthma treatment has been recently investigated. This review critically evaluates documented evidence of clinical trials and assesses the therapeutic implications of anticholinergic drugs in asthma management. So far, the r...

Both severe asthma and obesity are growing health problems. Severe asthma leads to a poor quality of life. The relationship among BMI, comorbidities, and severe asthma control in adults is still unclear. The aim of the study is to better understand the effect of the comorbidities as atopy, type II diabetes, OSAS, gastroesophageal reflux, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, infe...

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the distribution of asthma severity in men and women in the general population. The objective of our study was to describe asthma severity and change in severity according to gender in a cohort of adult asthmatics METHODS Subjects with asthma were identified from random samples of the 22 to 44 year-olds from the general population, screened for asthma from 1...

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) represent the mainstay therapy for asthmatics. A subset of severe asthmatics fails to respond steroid-based therapies, leading important healthcare costs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) glucocorticoid receptor genes were associated with a response GC. We evaluate possible relation BclI and A3669G SNPs clinical, biological functional characteristics Meth...

Human eosinophils represent approximately 1% of peripheral blood leukocytes. However, these cells have the propensity to leave the blood stream and migrate into inflamed tissues. Eosinophilic inflammation is present in a significant proportion of patients with severe asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects more than 315 million people worldwide, with 10% having severe unc...

Background: CD163-expressing macrophages are involved in the inflammatory response in asthma. Objective: To assess sputum and serum soluble CD163 (sCD163) and cytokine levels in patients with asthma. Further discussed was the difference between sCD163 and other classic inflammatory mediators. Methods: Sputum was successfully induced in asthma patients (n=85) and healthy controls (n=21). Interle...

BACKGROUND Refractory asthma represents an important condition, with considerable morbidity and mortality. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a potential target for treatment of severe asthma. However, controlled studies have shown controversial results and the risk-benefit profile of TNF-blocking agents is still debated. OBJECTIVES To describe the effect of infliximab on asthma control in pa...