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Background: A very weak relationship has been reported between the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with asthma and their degree of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), evaluated in terms of sensitivity. However, this relationship still has not been sufficiently explored for bronchial reactivity indices., Objectives: To analyse the relationship between bronchial reactivity and sensitivity with the HRQL of patients with stable asthma, identifying the functional parameters that determine HRQL., Methods: In 103 consecutive patients with stable asthma, HRQL was evaluated using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Patients underwent spirometry and non-specific bronchial provocation with methacoline. Sensitivity (PD(20)) and reactivity (dose-response slope (DRS), continuous index of responsiveness (CIR) and bronchial reactivity index (BRI)) of the dose-response curve were analysed., Results: BRI presented significant differences with different degrees of asthma severity. Although patients with AHR showed poorer quality of life than patients without AHR, the AQLQ total score was not related to PD(20) but rather to DRS (r=-0.784), CIR (r=-0.712) and BRI (r=-0.776). The indices of bronchial reactivity reached a negative correlation with all the domains of the AQLQ. In a multiple linear regression model, BRI, DRS, FIV(1) (forced inspiratory volume in 1 s) and VCIN (inspiratory vital capacity) were identified as independent predictors of the AQLQ total score (r(2)=0.742, p<0.001)., Conclusion: In patients with stable asthma, bronchial reactivity is associated with HRQL. This could justify incorporating bronchial reactivity indices in bronchial provocation analyses.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether teenagers and adolescents (10-22 years) with asthma or asymptomatic bronchial hyperresponsiveness, were more likely to experience vocational or professional career limitations in the future, as compared to non-asthmatic contemporaries., Methods: Data were used from a 14-year follow-up study in general practice, investigating the relationship between respiratory health in childhood and adolescence. At follow-up, the respiratory health status and information about career limitations were obtained., Results: There were no statistical significant differences between asthmatics (n=52) and non-asthmatics (n=154) in the proportion currently employed subjects, or contract type. Most examined career limitations were infrequently reported in both groups, but seemed to occur slightly more frequent among asthmatics. Asthmatics seemed to have an increased risk for limitations in daily activities both attributable to their respiratory health (OR=2.6, 95% CI [1.0; 7.0]) and all-cause (OR=1.8, 95% CI [0.9; 3.3]), and for absence from work all-cause (OR=1.7, 95% CI [0.9; 3.3]). However, the differences were in most cases in the magnitude of only a few days per year. Neither lung function nor bronchial hyperresponsiveness did predict absence from work, or limitations in daily activities., Conclusion: Asthmatic young adults seem to experience somewhat more limitations in their vocational and professional careers. Nonetheless, the majority of the young asthmatics seem to be only slightly limited in their careers. In non-asthmatic young adults the presence of asymptomatic bronchial hyperresponsiveness does not seem to lead to career limitations.

Background: This article presents a review of the relationship between physical training and airways diseases: the relationship between physical activity and the development of airways diseases, and the effect of physical training in rehabilitation after airways diseases., Material and Methods: The article is a systematic review of exercise-induced asthma (EIA), the effect of physical training upon bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the development of asthma; how chronic lung diseases affect the ability to participate in physical activity; and the use of physical training in rehabilitation after airways diseases., Results and Interpretation: Physical training may provoke EIA in asthmatic patients. Furthermore, heavy regular training over long periods of time may contribute to the development of asthma. Mastering EIA is an important goal in the management of asthma, especially in children and adolescents, in order to foster normal physical and mental development. Physical training improves fitness and the mastering of asthma, but not of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma activity. In other airways disorders like cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive lung disease, a reduced lung function may limit the ability to participate in physical activity. Training is an important tool in the rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary disorders as it improves physical fitness and quality of life.

The results are available on introduction of interference therapy in 30 children with bronchial asthma versus control group of 20 untreated patients. Bronchoprovocative histamine and exercise tolerance tests have specified characteristic features of interference current effects on bronchial permeability and hyperreactivity.

18 bronchial asthma (BA) patients (12 with mild and 6 with moderate disease) were examined before and after halotherapy (HT) for airways reactivity using provocative tests with ultrasonic inhalations of purified water (UIPW) and hypertonic salt solution (HSS). Bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) to UIPW and HSS before treatment occurred in 13 and 11 patients (72 and 69%, respectively). HT reduced BHR in 2/3 and 1/2 of the patients, respectively. In the rest patients BHR was unchanged or increased, being so to UIPW only in patients with atopic asthma in attenuating exacerbation. Clinical efficacy of HT and initial BHR to UIPW correlated (r = 0.56; p < 0.05). No correlation was found between HT efficacy and initial BHR to HSS.

This study describes the Quebec system of compensation for occupational asthma, assessing the functional and social outcome of claimants and estimating the efficiency and cost. Information was obtained on the clinical, functional and social outcome as well as the estimated costs for 134/211 subjects (participation rate of 64%), who received compensation between 1986 and 1988. At the time of assessment (2 years and more after the diagnosis), 93% of participants still demonstrated significant bronchial hyperresponsiveness and 84% required anti-asthma medication. None of the participants remained exposed to the offending agent: 67% were working for the same or another employer, 16% were retired, 8% were retraining for a new job and 8% were still unemployed. Quality of life was mildly affected, more so than for a control group of subjects. The mean interval between the time claims were addressed and the first medicolegal decision was 8.1 months. The mean total cost (including temporary and permanent disability indemnities, medical and technical costs) was $CAN 49,200 (minimum and maximum values of $2,100 and $330,900). We conclude that for subjects with occupational asthma in Quebec: 1) the mean interval for a medicolegal decision to be made is eight months: 2) a minority is still unemployed two to four years after being assessed; 3) the quality of life is more affected than in a control group; 4) the mean cost is close to $CAN 50,000.