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Relationship of Mannitol Challenge to Methacholine Challenge and Inflammatory Markers in Persistent Asthmatics Receiving Inhaled Corticosteroids

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Abstract

Background

Mannitol is a novel osmotic indirect bronchial challenge agent used to aid asthma diagnosis and management and is thought to reflect underlying inflammatory processes in asthma. Our objective was to evaluate relationships between mannitol airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and other measures of airway inflammation as well as direct-acting methacholine challenge in persistent asthmatics receiving inhaled corticosteroids.

Methods

We analysed screening data of mild to moderate persistent asthmatics, all receiving inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), who had mannitol and/or methacholine challenges, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and salivary eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) performed as part of the same screen. Mannitol AHR was grouped by PD10 (cumulative provocative dose required to produce a 10 % fall in FEV1): mild (315–635 mg), moderate (75–315 mg), and severe (0–75 mg). FeNO groups were low (<25 ppb), medium (25–50 ppb), and high (> 50 ppb) and methacholine PC20 (provocative concentration of methacholine required to cause a 20 % fall in FEV1) groups were mild (2–8 mg/ml), moderate (0.5–2 mg/ml), and severe (0–0.5 mg/ml).

Results

Mannitol PD10 groups were significantly different overall for FeNO (p = 0.023): 43 % higher in the severe vs. the mild group. There was a significant overall difference for methacholine PC20 (p = 0.006): a 2.1 doubling dilution difference between severe vs. mild mannitol groups. FeNO groups were significantly different overall for mannitol PD10 (p = 0.01) and methacholine PC20 (p = 0.029). Methacholine PC20 groups were significantly different overall for mannitol PD10 (p < 0.001) and FeNO (p = 0.005). No significant differences were found across any groups for salivary ECP, FEV1 % predicted, or ICS dose. Mannitol PD10, methacholine PC20, and FeNO as continuous variables all correlated with each other.

Conclusions

Mannitol challenge reflects underlying inflammation using FeNO and direct AHR using methacholine. Thus, mannitol may be a useful screening tool for the assessment of asthmatic patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Pharmaxis which donated the mannitol challenge test kits as an educational gift to our department.

Conflict of interest

W. J. Anderson and B. J. Lipworth have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Sciences, Centre for Cardiovascular and Lung Biology, Asthma and Allergy Research Group, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK

    William J. Anderson & Brian J. Lipworth

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  1. William J. Anderson
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  2. Brian J. Lipworth
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Correspondence to Brian J. Lipworth.

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Anderson, W.J., Lipworth, B.J. Relationship of Mannitol Challenge to Methacholine Challenge and Inflammatory Markers in Persistent Asthmatics Receiving Inhaled Corticosteroids. Lung 190, 513–521 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-012-9396-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-012-9396-6

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