Inflammatory response of rapid onset asthma exacerbation

UNLABELLEDThe association between onset of asthma exacerbation and the inflammatory response has not been sufficiently studied.OBJECTIVETo determine the differential mechanisms of the rapid onset (RO) asthma exacerbation.METHODSWe designed a prospective, multicentre study that included 34 patients who suffered from asthma exacerbation. They were distributed into three groups of asthmatics, depending of the time of onset: from 0 to 24h, from 25 to 144h and more than 145h. We collected clinical data, sputum, blood and urine samples when first seen at the clinic and the next 24h later, and differential cell counts and biomarkers were determinedRESULTSThe asthmatics who suffered a RO exacerbation showed a higher elastase concentration, (1.028±1.140; 310±364; 401±390ng/ml) (P