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Relationship between airway neutrophilia and ageing in asthmatics and non-asthmatics.
- Source :
-
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) [Respirology] 2013 Jul; Vol. 18 (5), pp. 857-65. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Background and Objective: Increased sputum neutrophilia has been observed in asthma, but also during normal ageing in asthmatics and non-asthmatics. It remains unclear what constitutes 'normal' neutrophil levels in different age groups.<br />Methods: We assessed the relationship between age and airway neutrophils of 194 asthmatics and 243 non-asthmatics (age range: 6-80 years). Regression analyses were used to assess this relationship adjusted for confounders including asthma status, atopy, gender, smoking and current use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Age-corrected reference values for different age groups were determined using the 95th percentile of non-asthmatic participants.<br />Results: Age was positively associated with sputum neutrophils in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic adults (0.46% neutrophil increase/year (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18, 0.73) and 0.44%/year (0.25, 0.64, respectively), but no association was found in the <20-year age category. Individuals with high sputum neutrophil counts (>95th percentile of non-asthmatic counts for any given age group) were significantly more likely to be asthmatic (odds ratio = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.0), with the greatest effect observed in the older age group. Other factors that independently associated with increased sputum neutrophil levels included atopy in non-asthmatic adults, male gender and current use of ICS in asthmatic adults. Age-specific reference values for neutrophil percentage were under 20 years-76%, 20-40 years-62%, 40-60 years-63% and over 60 years-67%.<br />Conclusions: Airway neutrophilia is related to age in adults, with a neutrophilic asthma phenotype present in older adults. The use of appropriate age-specific reference values is recommended for future studies aimed at elucidating the role of neutrophils in asthma.<br /> (© 2013 The Authors. Respirology © 2013 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1440-1843
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Respirology (Carlton, Vic.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23490307
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.12079