Mechanism(s) of Airflow Limitation During Exacerbation of Asthma

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the site and mechanisms responsible for expiratory airflow limitation in chronic, treated, non-smoking, stable asthmatics with moderate to severe persistent expiratory airflow obstruction. Treatment will include inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta2agonists. The investigators are interested in determining whether the large and/or small airways are the predominant site of airflow limitation. The investigators are also interested in determining whether intrinsic small airways obstruction and/or loss of lung elastic recoil is responsible for expiratory airflow limitation. The investigators are also interested to evaluate the role of varying doses of inhaled corticosteroids to suppress large and small airway inflammation using exhaled nitric oxide as surrogate markers of inflammation. For comparison purposes, spirometry and measurements of exhaled nitric oxide will also be obtained if possible during a naturally occurring exacerbation of asthma.

Condition

  • Asthma

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 10 Years and 80 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Current non-smoking (<10 pack yr smoking history) - Stable, treated asthmatics - Age 10-80 yr - post 180ug albuterol by MDI: FEV 1/FVC < 70% and FEV 1 <80% predicted

Exclusion Criteria

  • Pregnancy

Study Design

Phase
Phase 4
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description
To Better Understand the Mechanism(s) of Airflow Limitation During Exacerbation of Asthma
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Other
Asthma observational study arm 		Asthmatics in this arm may be on varying dose of inhaled fluticasone 100-500mcg/salmeterol 50mcg bid via Advair MDI or equivalent dose via Diskus bid or Symbicort (budesonide 80-160mcg/formoterol 4.5mcg bid)or Dulera 100-200mcg mometasone/5 mcg formoterol bid, tiotropium 18mcg capsule daily. This is an observational study and additional pharmacologic intervention may include antibiotic and tapering doses of corticosteroids.
  • Drug: fluticasone/salmeterol in all asthmatics
    budesonide 80ug/formoterol 4.5ug, 2 inhalations bid X 20-60 days or fluticasone 100ug/salmeterol 50ug, 1 inhalation bid X 20-60 days
    Other names:
    • symbicort 80/4.5
    • advair 100/50 or 250/50 or 500/50 bid
  • Drug: budesonide/formoterol or fluticasone/salmeterol in all asthmatics
    budesonide 160ug/formoterol 4.5ug, 2 inhalations bid or fluticasone 250ug/salmeterol 50ug, 1 inhalations bid
    Other names:
    • symbicort 160/4.5
    • advair 250/50

Recruiting Locations

Arthur F Gelb Medical Corporation
Lakewood, California 90712

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Gelb, Arthur F., M.D.

Study Contact

Arthur F Gelb, MD
562-633-2204
afgelb@msn.com

Detailed Description

In addition we will also obtain above studies in asthmatics during naturally occuring exacerbation of asthma and following treatment. If available, results of lung function studies including measurements of lung elastic recoil will be compared to pathologic analyses of formalin fixed, air inflated lungs obtained at autopsy in asthmatics who die from asthma related or non-asthma related death. This kind of lung structure-function study will provide potential mechanism(s) to explain the loss of lung elastic recoil in acute and chronic asthmatics who are non-smokers. We will also obtain voxel quantification of high resolution thin section CT of lung obtained without IV contrast. Also, we will use fiberoptic bronchoscopy to obtain optical coherence tomography in stable asthmatics with mild to moderate to severe expiratory airflow limitation to assess integrity of the lung parenchyma.