Biomarker Profiles in Asthma With High vs Low Airway Reversibility and Poor Disease Control

Chest. 2015 Dec;148(6):1489-1496. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-2457.

Abstract

Background: High bronchodilator reversibility in adult asthma is associated with distinct clinical characteristics. This analysis compares lung function, biomarker profiles, and disease control in patients with high reversibility (HR) and low reversibility (LR) asthma.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed with data from two completed clinical trials of similar design. Patients were divided into HR and LR subgroups based on their response to bronchodilators (HR = ΔFEV1 postbronchodilator ≥ 20%). Blood eosinophil count, serum IgE level, and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide concentration, biomarkers commonly used to stratify patients into T-helper (Th)-2-high vs Th2-low phenotypes, were measured in patients with not well controlled (1.5 ≤ Asthma Control Questionnaire [ACQ] ≤ 2.143) and very poorly controlled (ACQ > 2.143) disease.

Results: The majority of patients in the HR and LR subgroups displayed Th2-low biomarker profiles and very poor disease control. HR was more frequently associated with Th2-high biomarker profiles (40.1% vs 29.4%, P = .006), lower lung function (FEV1, 63.5 ± 7.7% predicted vs 67.9 ± 8.4% predicted; P < .001), and atopy (93.7% vs 86.5%, P = .005).

Conclusions: HR is a physiologic indicator of reduced lung function and is more often associated with elevations in Th2 biomarkers than LR in moderate to severe asthma. However, the majority of patients with HR and LR asthma in this analysis had a Th2-low biomarker profile. Moreover, a Th2-high biomarker profile was not associated with worse disease control.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma* / blood
  • Asthma* / diagnosis
  • Asthma* / drug therapy
  • Asthma* / physiopathology
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Breath Tests / methods
  • Bronchodilator Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis*
  • Prostaglandin D2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Respiratory Function Tests / methods
  • Respiratory System* / drug effects
  • Respiratory System* / immunology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Prostaglandin D2