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Relationship between airway neutrophilia and ageing in asthmatics and non-asthmatics.
- Source :
- Respirology; Jul2013, Vol. 18 Issue 5, p857-865, 9p, 4 Charts, 2 Graphs
- 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. 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. 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%. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13237799
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Respirology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 88310422
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.12079