[The effect of inhaled corticosteroid on the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) with off-line method in adult Japanese asthmatics].

Background: The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a useful marker of asthma control. The FeNO measurement with our offline method using SIEVERS bag collection kit may be more affordable, but there have been no studies to show the effect of anti-asthmatic therapy on FeNO with our offline method.

Methods: The study population comprised 36 steroid-naïve asthmatics at our outpatient clinic.

[The methodological aspects of nasal and exhaled nitric oxide levels in adult Japanese asthmatics].

Background: Because both allergic rhinitis and asthma are caused by eosinophilic airway inflammation, using the same method to measure the eosinophilic inflammation of both the upper and lower airway would be advantageous. The levels of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO) and nasal air (nNO) are useful as noninvasive markers of eosinophilic airway inflammation. Although the off-line method of measuring these parameters is easier and more useful than the on-line method, studies using the off-line method are rare in Japan.

Relationship between exhaled nitric oxide measured by two offline methods and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Japanese adults with asthma.

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a useful marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthmatics. There have been no studies to show the relationship between eNO measured by offline methods and the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids.

Methods: The study population comprised asthmatics at our outpatient clinic.

A retrospective study of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with asthma before the onset of Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Asthma is one of the most common clinical symptoms in Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). However, it is not known how lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) prior to the development of CSS differs from asthmatics do not develop CSS. This retrospective cohort study was conducted to predict the onset of CSS and facilitate diagnosis in the early phase of the disease.

[The change of exhaled nitric oxide levels in early response after inhaled antigen in antigen-specific provocation test].

Background: Inhaled antigen increases exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) in atopic asthmatics. Recent study showed that the increase of eNO levels was observed in late response (8-10 hours after inhaled antigen) but not in early response (1.5 hour after inhaled antigen).

[The methodological aspects of off-line sampling of exhaled air for nitric oxide measurement in Japanese].

The measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a non-invasive biomarker of bronchial inflammation. Despite the usefulness of eNO measurement, NO analyzers are too expensive for widespread use by general practitioners. In comparison, the off-line (bag collection) method of eNO measurement may be more useful.

Familial Churg-Strauss syndrome in two sisters.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is an uncommon systemic vasculitis with an increase in the number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood and tissues. Its pathogenesis is unknown, and there is no evidence that genetic factors influence susceptibility to this disease. We present a case of familial CSS in two sisters with atopic-type bronchial asthma and negative perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody results.

The relationship between exhaled nitric oxide measured with an off-line method and airway reversible obstruction in Japanese adults with asthma.

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a useful marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma patients. There is no study to show the relationship between the eNO measured by using an off-line method and the degree of reversibility of airflow limitation in Japanese asthma patients. We sought to investigate the relationship between the eNO level measured by using an off-line method and the degree of reversibility of bronchial constriction in Japanese asthma patients.

[Prognosis of bronchial asthma in adults].

Background: The prognosis of adult asthma, whether a long-term remission is available, is still unknown. In this paper we investigated the prognosis of adult asthma patients. METHODS We sent a questionnaire by mail to 1168 patients who had been taken care in our clinic until 1990-1992, but disappeared afterward.

[Antigenic analysis of patients with asthma contracting by exposure to different species of pet hamsters].

Background: Hamster-specific IgE antibodies as measured by currently available CAP-RAST tests are used to diagnose allergies associated with exposure to pet hamsters. Among patients with asthma attributed to hamsters, only about 60% are positive for hamster-specific IgE antibodies. We examined whether the results of CAP-RAST tests are related to differences in species-related antigens.

Adrenal function as assessed by low-dose adrenocorticotropin hormone test before and after switching from inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate to inhaled fluticasone propionate.

Low-dose adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) tests (0.5 microg/L 73 m2) were done before and after switching from inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate to inhaled fluticasone propionate in 12 patients 33-77 years old who had mild-to-severe asthma to compare the effects of these drugs on adrenal function. Low-dose ACTH tests were performed after the subjects had received inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (200-900 microg/day) for at least 12 wk.