噻托溴铵联合布地奈德治疗轻中度支气管哮喘的疗效观察

目的观察噻托溴铵联合布地奈德治疗轻中度支气管哮喘的临床疗效。方法选择我院2011年11月—2012年12月诊治的轻中度支气管哮喘患者60例,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组30例。对照组患者吸入布地奈德,观察组吸入布地奈德+噻托溴铵。检测两组患者治疗前及治疗后8周第一秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、呼气峰流速(PEF);记录两组患者治疗后8周支气管哮喘急性发作次数及治疗期间不良反应情况。结果两组患者治疗前FEV1及PEF比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者治疗后FEV1及PEF高于治疗前,且观察组患者治疗后FEV1及PEF高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗组患者治疗后8周支气管哮喘急性发作次数为(2.3±0.2)次,低于对照组的(9.2±0.3)次(P0.05)。观察组患者治疗期间出现口干2例,对照组患者治疗期间出现失眠1例,两组患者不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论噻托溴铵联合布地奈德治疗轻中度支气管哮喘疗效确切,可有效改善患者肺功能,减少支气管哮喘急性发作次数。     

依据呼出气一氧化氮浓度联合哮喘控制测试评分调整吸入糖皮质激素剂量控制支气管哮喘的应用研究

目的分析依据呼出气一氧化氮浓度(FeNO)联合哮喘控制测试(ACT)评分调整吸入糖皮质激素剂量控制支气管哮喘的应用效果。方法选取2016年1月—2017年9月廊坊市人民医院收治的支气管哮喘患者250例,采用随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组125例。在常规干预基础上,对照组患者依据ACT评分调整吸入糖皮质激素剂量,观察组患者则依据Fe NO联合ACT评分调整吸入糖皮质激素剂量。记录两组患者随访6个月期间支气管哮喘急性发作次数、入住急诊次数、住院次数、吸入糖皮质激素剂量,并比较两组患者治疗前及随访6个月肺功能指标、支气管哮喘生命质量问卷(AQLQ)评分。结果随访6个月期间观察组患者支气管哮喘急性发作次数、入住急诊次数及住院次数少于对照组,吸入糖皮质激素剂量低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗前两组患者第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、呼气峰流速(PEF)、第1秒用力呼气容积与用力肺活量比值(FEV1/FVC)及AQLQ评分比较,差异无统计意义(P0.05);随访6个月两组患者FEV1、PEF、FEV1/FVC比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而观察组患者AQLQ评分高于对照组(P0.05)。结论与单纯依据ACT评分相比,依据FeNO联合ACT评分调整吸入糖皮质激素剂量对支气管哮喘的控制效果较好,有利于减少糖皮质激素用量,改善支气管哮喘患者生命质量,20 ppb和35 ppb可作为FeNO指导支气管哮喘患者调整吸入糖皮质激素剂量的切点。     

氯吡格雷对支气管哮喘患者P-选择素影响的研究

目的 观察支气管哮喘患者血清P-选择素的变化,探讨氯吡格雷治疗哮喘的疗效.方法 将60例支气管哮喘患者随机分为两组,常规治疗组和氯吡格雷组（氯吡格雷＋常规治疗）,选择健康体检者为对照组（30名）,进行观察.测定哮喘患者急性发作期和缓解期血清P-选择素水平的变化,同步检测肺功能第一秒用力呼气量（FEV1）、最大呼气流速（PEF）.结果 （1）哮喘患者急性发作期血清P-选择素水平较对照组明显升高（P均＜0.01）.氯吡格雷组缓解期血清P-选择素水平较常规治疗组缓解期明显下降（P均＜0.01）.哮喘患者血清P-选择素水平与FEV1、PEF比较成负相关;（2）氯吡格雷组患者缓解时间少于常规治疗组（P＜0.01）;（3）氯吡格雷组患者人均静脉用甲基强的松龙用量明显少于常规治疗组（P＜0.05）.结论 支气管哮喘患者急性发作期、缓解期血清P-选择素水平较对照组升高,氯吡格雷可以降低血清P-选择素水平,可作为辅助治疗支气管哮喘的药物之一.     

噻托溴铵联合沙美特罗替卡松吸入治疗中重度支气管哮喘合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病的临床疗效分析

目的 探讨噻托溴铵(思力华)联合沙美特罗替卡松(舒利迭)吸入治疗中重度支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)的临床疗效.方法 将126例中重度哮喘合并COPD患者随机分人对照组与观察组,对照组患者接受沙美特罗替卡松吸入,给予观察组患者噻托溴铵联合沙美特罗替卡松吸入.比较两组患者治疗前及治疗后1年肺功能的改变,急性发作次数、住院次数、急性发作的间隔时间以及生活质量.结果 治疗后观察组第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、FEV1占预计值百分比(FEVt％pred)和用力肺活量(FVC)显著优于对照组(P＜0.05);随访1年,观察组急性发作次数及住院次数显著少于对照组(P＜0.05),急性发作的间隔时间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);观察组生活质量SGRQ评分各维度及总分显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 噻托溴铵联合沙美特罗替卡松吸入可显著改善中重度哮喘合并CO PD患者肺功能,提高临床疗效及患者生活质量.     

小剂量罗红霉素对轻度哮喘吸烟患者治疗的影响

目的观察罗红霉素对吸烟的轻度支气管哮喘患者吸入激素疗效及气道炎症的影响。方法对36例吸烟的轻度支气管哮喘患者随机分为治疗组（A组）及对照组（B组）,B组每日吸入必可酮500μg及按需吸入万托林,A组在B组的基础上每天口服罗红霉素分散片0．15g,治疗4周,治疗前后进行肺功能测定、气道反应性试验及诱导痰细胞分数计数。结果B组患者吸入糖皮质激素治疗四周后清晨呼气峰流速（PEF）、第1秒用力呼气容积FEV1（％）、气道反应性及诱导痰中中性粒细胞均无明显改善（P〉0．05）;A组患者的清晨PEF、FEV1（％）及气道反应性改善（P〈0．01）,并同时患者诱导痰中中性粒细胞降低（P〈0．01）,且经相关分析显示诱导痰中的中性粒细胞数量与清晨PEF及FEV1（％）呈负相关（P〈0．01）,而与气道反应性呈正相关（P〈0．01）。结论吸烟哮喘患者气道中的中性粒细胞数量与清晨PEF及FEV1（％）呈负相关,而与气道反应性呈正相关;罗红霉素能减少吸烟哮喘患者气道中的中性粒细胞并促进必可酮及万托林改善吸烟哮喘患者的清晨PEF、FEV1（％）、气道反应性。     

支气管肺泡灌洗术在支气管哮喘中的应用简

目的 探讨应用支气管镜行支气管肺泡灌洗术治疗支气管哮喘的作用.方法 将常规治疗无效的61例支气管哮喘患者随机分成两组,对照组继续采用支气管舒张剂等常规治疗,支气管镜肺灌洗组在常规治疗基础上加用支气管肺泡灌洗术.治疗前及治疗后48小时观察患者的临床表现,检测第1 秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、呼气峰流速（PEF）等,选用改良英国MRC呼吸困难指数（mMRC）进行病情评估.并对两组患者住院天数进行比较.结果 两组患者治疗后哮喘症状、体征好转,肺功能指标及mMRC均得到改善,两组比较,经支气管镜肺灌洗组显著优于对照组,且住院天数缩短,差异具有统计学意义（ P ＜ 0.05）.结论经支气管镜行肺泡灌洗术能清除支气管内黏性分泌物,通畅气道,改善气道的炎症反应,是治疗由黏液栓引起的哮喘急性发作最有效手段,且见效快.     

布地奈德雾化吸入佐治老年支气管哮喘的临床疗效研究

目的探讨老年支气管哮喘的治疗方法。方法选择90例老年支气管哮喘急性发作期患者随机分为布地奈德佐治组（试验组）和常规治疗组（对照组）,每组各45例。对照组患者接受常规治疗;试验组患者在常规治疗基础上加用布地奈德雾化吸人,共2W。分别检测两组患者的疗效、临床症状与体征消失时间、第一秒用力呼气容积／用力呼气量预计值的百分比（FEV1％）、第一秒用力呼气容积／用力肺活量百分比（FEV1／FVC％）、最大呼气峰值流速实测值占预计值的百分比（PEF％）,并进行比较与统计学分析。结果布地奈德佐治组的总有效率显著高于常规治疗组（84．44％VS．73．33％,P〈0．05）,咳嗽、喘息、胸闷、肺哮鸣音等症状、体征消失时间明显少于常规治疗组（均P〈0．01、P〈0．05）。各组治疗前后比较,治疗后FEV1％、FEV1／FVC％和PEF％均显著升高（P〈0．01）;与常规治疗组治疗后比较,布地奈德佐治组治疗后的FEV1％、FEV1／FVC％和PEF预计值均明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论布地奈德对老年支气管哮喘有很好的辅助疗效。     

细辛脑雾化吸入佐治老年支气管哮喘急性发作期的临床疗效

目的探讨细辛脑雾化吸人佐治老年支气管哮喘急性发作期的临床疗效。方法选择住院治疗的支气管哮喘急性发作期老年患者70例,其中男性43例,女性27例,年龄60～78岁,平均（69．2±4．8）岁。随机分为常规治疗组（对照组）和细辛脑佐治组（试验组）,每组各35例。常规治疗组患者接受常规治疗;细辛脑佐治组患者在常规治疗基础上加用细辛脑注射液雾化吸人,共7d。对两组患者的疗效、临床症状与体征消失时间、肺功能变化[（第一秒用力呼气容积／用力呼气量预计值的百分比（FEV,％）,第一秒用力呼气容积／用力肺活量百分比（FEV1／FVC％）,最大呼气峰值流速实测值占预计值的百分比（PEF％）]等进行比较及统计学分析。结果细辛脑佐治组的有效率明显高于常规治疗组（P〈0．05）,喘息、咳嗽、胸闷、肺部哮鸣音等症状、体征消失时间明显少于常规治疗组（均P〈0,01、P〈0．05）。与两组治疗前比较,两组治疗后FEV1％、FEV1／FVC％和PEF％均显著升高（P〈0．01）;与常规治疗组治疗后比较,细辛脑佐治组治疗后的FEV1％、FEV1／FVC％和PEF预计值皆明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论细辛脑对老年支气管哮喘有很好的辅助疗效。     

布地奈德治疗妊娠合并支气管哮喘临床疗效观察

目的探讨布地奈德治疗妊娠合并支气管哮喘临床疗效。方法分析我院收治入院的经确诊60例妊娠合并支气管哮喘急性发作患者的临床资料,根据治疗方法不同分为两组,每组各30例,两组均给予常规治疗,治疗组加用布地奈德吸入治疗。观察两组治疗后FEV1%(1 s用力呼气量),及日间哮喘症状、夜间憋醒次数和安全性等。结果治疗组喘憋消失时间、哮鸣音消失时间、住院时间均明显低于对照组,P<0.05;治疗组治疗后FEV1、FEV1/FVC、PEF等指标明显改善,与治疗前比较具有显著差异,P<0.05;两组治疗后FEV1、FEV1/FVC、PEF等指标比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论布地奈德气雾剂对于控制妊娠合并支气管哮喘患者的症状、减少发作具有良好疗效。     

综合排痰护理改善老年支气管哮喘急性发作期患者肺功能的研究

目的 探讨综合排痰护理对老年支气管哮喘急性发作期肺功能的影响,为寻求有效的护理手段提供依据。方法选择2011年11月至2013年4月老年支气管哮喘急性发作期住院患者100例,随机分为常规护理组（n=50）和排痰护理组（n=50）,常规护理组患者仅采用常规护理,排痰护理组在常规护理基础上再加综合排痰护理,连续7d。分别对2组患者的临床疗效、肺功能变化[（1秒用力呼气容积／用力呼气量预计值的百分比（FEV1％）,1秒用力呼气容积／用力肺活量百分比（FEV1／FVC）,最大呼气峰值流速实测值占预计值的百分比（PEF％）]等进行检测及统计分析。结果排痰护理纽显效29例、有效14例、无效7例、总有效率为86％,而常规护理组显效22例、有效15例、无效13例、总有效率为74％,排痰护理组总有效率高于常规护理组,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;与治疗前比较,2组治疗后FEV,％、FEV,／FVC和PEF％均明显升高（P〈0．05）;与常规护理组治疗后比较,排痰护理组治疗后的FEV1％、FEV1／FVC和PEF％皆显著升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论 综合排痰护理对老年支气管哮喘急性发作期患者肺功能有较显著的改善效果。     

噻托溴铵治疗中重度支气管哮喘30例临床观察

目的:探讨噻托溴铵在中重度支气管哮喘治疗中的意义。方法:将60例中重度支气管哮喘患者随机分为观察组和对照组,两组患者均依据2009 GINA规范治疗3个月,其中观察组每天增加吸入一次噻托溴铵18μg。比较两组患者治疗前后性别、年龄、病程、哮喘控制测试(ACT)评分、血清免疫球蛋白E(IgE)、嗜酸细胞计数(EOS)、吸入支气管扩张剂后一秒钟用力呼气量(FEV1)、用力呼气中期流速(FEF25%~75%)值、用力呼气峰速(PEF)及每周急救药使用次数等指标变化并进行统计学分析。结果:①两组间患者性别、年龄、病程、治疗前各指标差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。②治疗后两组各指标与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。③治疗后,观察组的ACT评分、FEV1、PEF、FEF及每周急救药使用喷数与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。治疗后观察组EOS、IgE与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:噻托溴铵治疗中重度支气管哮喘有效,且以扩张气道、改善症状和肺功能为主,其是否有非特异性抗炎作用还需进一步研究论证。     

舒利迭治疗支气管哮喘临床效果效果研究

目的 探讨舒利迭治疗支气管哮喘的临床效果.方法 支气管哮喘患者108例,随机分为治疗组和对照组(两组分别为54例),其中治疗组吸入糖皮质激素(倍氯米松)、短效β2受体激动剂(硫酸特布他林),以及使用舒利迭(沙美特罗/氟替卡松)治疗,吸入2次/d.对照组吸入倍氯米松和口服特布他林,观察12周,观察患者哮喘临床控制率、第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、最大呼气流速(PEF)及药物不良反应.结果 治疗组有34例(62.9%)达到临床控制,与对照组20例(37.0%)相比,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组治疗后FEV1、PEF水平均高于治疗前的水平(P＜0.05).结论 应用舒利迭治疗支气管哮喘能有效改善临床症状和降低复发率,优于单纯吸入糖皮质激素.     

影响支气管哮喘控制水平及其未来风险因素的调查分析

目的 探讨影响支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)控制水平及哮喘未来风险的因素,为降低哮喘未来风险提供依据.方法 在2011年5月解放军总医院哮喘教育活动中,根据2006年全球哮喘防治创议(GINA)哮喘控制标准,将接受有效问卷调查并测定肺功能的32例哮喘患者分为控制、部分控制及未控制;比较部分控制组与未控制组的哮喘控制测试(ACT...     

The characteristics of different diagnostic tests in adult mild asthmatic patients: comparison with patients with asthma-like symptoms by gastro-oesophageal reflux

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing asthma cannot be always easy. It is important to consider the validity of the diagnostic tests, and/or how much more commonly they are positive in patients with asthma compared to healthy subjects and, particularly, to patients with asthma-like symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of diagnostic tests for asthma, in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, in patients with bronchial asthma compared to patients affected by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with asthma-like symptoms, and healthy control subjects without asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER). DESIGN: Single-center, cross-sectional, observational study. PATIENTS: We studied 60 patients with mild asthma, 30 patients with GERD and asthma-like symptoms and 25 healthy control subjects. MEASUREMENTS: We measured provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in the forced expiratory volume in 1s (MCh PC(20)/FEV(1)), the amplitude percent mean of peak expiratory flow (A%M of PEF), derived from twice-daily readings for >2 weeks, the FEV(1)/forced vital capacity (FEV(1)/FVC) ratio, the eosinophil count in blood and in induced sputum and the serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. RESULTS: FEV(1)/FVC ratio, A%M of PEF, blood eosinophils counts and serum ECP levels were less sensitive and specific when the reference population was composed of patients with asthma-like symptoms by GER. While, MCh PC(20)/FEV(1) and induced sputum eosinophils count were the most sensitive (both 90%) and specific (89% and 92%, respectively) tests. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that MCh PC(20)/FEV(1) and the induced sputum eosinophil count are the most useful objective tests in patients with mild asthma. All patients with asthma presented both an MCh PC(20)/FEV(1) <1500 microg and eosinophils count in the induced sputum >1%.     

Asthma severity is associated with body mass index and early menarche in women

Asthma severity in relation to body mass index (BMI) has rarely been studied. The relation between BMI and asthma severity was studied by sex in 366 adults with asthma from the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma, a case-control and family study on asthma. Factors related to asthma severity and BMI such as smoking, FEV(1), bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and dyspnea were taken into account. The influence of early menarche was studied to assess the potential role of hormonal factors. Clinical asthma severity in the last 12 months was assessed by a score (0-7) based on the frequency of asthma attacks, persisting symptoms between attacks, and hospitalization. Asthma severity, which was unrelated to sex, increased with BMI in women (p = 0.0001) but not in men (p = 0.3). In women, the association remained after adjustment for age, FEV(1), smoking habits, and BMI-adjusted dyspnea and taking into account familial dependence (p = 0.0001). The association between BMI and severity was stronger in women with early menarche than in women without early menarche (p interaction = 0.02). Findings support the hypothesis of hormonal factors involved in the severity of asthma.     

Comparison Between Fenoterol and Fenoterol Plus Oxitropium Bromide Delivered by Metered-Dose Inhaler with InspirEase to Relieve Acute Asthma Attack

Although the inhalation of β₂-agonists has frequently been used to relieve acute asthma attacks, the efficacy of anticholinergic agents for acute asthma attacks still remains unclear. This study was designed to compare the inhalation of fenoterol and the inhalation of fenoterol plus oxitropium bromide delivered by a metered-dose inhaler with holding chamber (InspirEase) to relieve acute asthma attacks. To accomplish this, 69 patients who had presented with an acute asthma attack were randomized to receive either fenoterol (1 puff [200 μg/puff] every 1 min for 5 min; total 1000 μg) or fenoterol plus oxitropium bromide (2 puffs [100 μg/puff] every 1 min for 5 min; total 1000 μg). The peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV) values were measured before treatment, and 1,15, 30, and 60 min after the inhalation therapy. The ratios of improvement, PEF (or FEV) after treatment divided by PEF (or FEV) before treatment, were also calculated. Thirty-three patients were evaluated in the combination group and 31 patients were evaluated in the fenoterol group. The PEF value at 60 min after inhalation therapy of the fenoterol plus oxitropium bromide group (261 ± 18 L/min, mean ± standard error) was significantly higher compared to that of the fenoterol group (210 ± 17 L/min). In addition, the ratios of improvement of PEF at 1, 15, 30, and 60 min after inhalation therapy were significantly higher in the fenoterol plus oxitropium bromide group compared with the fenoterol group.     

An assessment of methacholine inhalation tests in elderly asthmatics

We have assessed the feasibility and value of measuring nonspecific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in investigation of asthma in the elderly. Results from duplicated tests in 20 subjects aged 65-82 years were expressed as dose provoking a 20% decrement in 1 second forced expiratory volume (PD20.FEV1) or peak expiratory flow (PD20.PEF). Repeatability for PD20.FEV1 was satisfactory but less good than in younger subjects, 95% confidence limits being 0.39-2.57 and 0.52-1.91, respectively, x initial PD20. For PD20.PEF, confidence limits were wider (0.26-3.91 x initial PD20) but multiple PEF measurements were better tolerated than those of FEV1, which commonly caused fatigue and dizziness. PD20.FEV1 and PD20.PEF correlated closely (r = 0.95, P less than 0.0001) and both predicted bronchodilatation following a 6-week course of inhaled corticosteroid and beta agonist. This was not predicted by the response to a single dose of beta agonist. We conclude that measurement of bronchial responsiveness is feasible and clinically valuable in elderly subjects.     

用力吸气流量在COPD和支气管哮喘中的应用

目的 评价用力吸气流量指标在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)和支气管哮喘中价值。方法 观察COPD80例和支气管哮喘20例在吸入支气管扩张剂后用力吸气流量指标的前后变化。结果 轻度COPD患者和支气管哮喘患者FEV1,FIV1，PEF，PIF，FEF50％，FIF50%指标，在吸入支气管扩张剂前后均有明显的差异。但用力吸气流量指标与用力呼气流量指标在统计学无差别。而中、重度COPD患者FIV1％较FEV1％有显著差异性。结论 在COPD中，在评价支气管的可逆性方面，用力吸气流量具有用力呼气流量同样的效果。甚至在重度COPD患者中．FIV1%比用力呼气流量可能更加敏感。     

Reduced pulmonary function and its associations in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study

To determine whether diabetes is associated with reduced lung function, we studied 421 Anglo-Celt/European subjects, representing 20.5% of all patients with type 2 diabetes identified in an urban Australian catchment area of 120097 people. In addition to collection of detailed demographic and diabetes-specific data, spirometry was performed and forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), vital capacity (VC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured. When expressed as a percentage of those predicted (%pred) for age, sex and height, the means of all spirometric measures were reduced by > or =9.5%. After controlling for smoking, age and gender in a linear regression model, HbA(1c) was not associated with any measure of lung function (P>0.13) but diabetes duration was significantly associated with FEV1(%pred) and PEF(%pred) (P< or =0.04) and had borderline associations with FVC(%pred) and VC(%pred) (P< or =0.064). In separate analyses controlling for smoking alone, age, body mass index (BMI), coronary heart disease (CHD) and retinopathy were independently and inversely associated with FVC(%pred), FEV1(%pred) and VC(%pred) (P<0.05). In sub-group analyses, these three spirometric measures were associated with BMI, CHD and diabetes duration in males, and age and BMI in females. Pulmonary function is reduced in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes duration seems a more important influence than glycaemic control, but obesity and vascular disease may also contribute.     

Reversibility test in the early stages of bronchial asthma.

In the early stages of bronchial asthma, it is frequent to find subjects with a positive history and an FEV1 or FEV1/FVC > 80% of the predicted value. This study investigated if the test of reversibility showed a reversible airway obstruction (RAO) in 291 subjects with the above clinical and functional features. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and expiratory flows (PEF, MEF50, FEF(25-75)) were registered before and 20 minutes after salbutamol administration (200 mcg by MDI). Of 291 subjects, FEV1 increased in 73 (25%) after bronchodilator > or = 12% compared to baseline; the number of subjects with a > or = 35% increase in MEF50 or FEF(25-75) were similar in terms of percentage (respectively, 29.2% and 29%), whereas those with increases in FVC (> or = 12%) and in PEF (> or = 15%) were significantly lower (respectively, 2.7% and 12.3%). The percentage of subjects with RAO (FEV1 increase after bronchodilator > or = 12%) was lower (12%) in the subgroup (108 subjects), with an MEF50 > or = 70% of the value predicted at the baseline assessment, and higher (36%) in the subjects of the subgroup (183 subjects) with an MEF50 < 70%. In conclusion, it is advisable to carry out reversibility tests in all subjects with symptoms indicative of asthma even if their functional tests are "normal" because in a considerable number of cases the RAO was found to confirm the suspected diagnosis and provided a more reliable classification of the disease.