Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Bronchitis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Airways inflammation in subjects with chronic bronchitis who have never smoked.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the single most common cause of chronic bronchitis but the disease can also occur in non-smokers. Alterations in the lung responsible for the disease, such as oxidant/antioxidant and protease/antiprotease imbalance, have been investigated in smokers. The aim of our study was to evaluate local cellular and soluble factors (albumin, immunoglobulins, proteases, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and transferrin) that may be involved in the development of chronic bronchitis in subjects who have never smoked. METHODS: Sixteen clinically stable patients with chronic bronchitis who had never been smokers were studied and 17 healthy non-smokers served as controls. All subjects underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Total and differential cell counts and concentrations of the main proteins (albumin, immunoglobulins, complement fractions, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and transferrin) were measured. Elastase-like activity was assessed in cells and supernatants. To estimate the oxidant burden the release of superoxide anion (O2-) from native cell populations was evaluated. RESULTS: Recovery of BAL fluid was reduced in older individuals in both the chronic bronchitis and control groups. There was no difference in total cell count, but neutrophil percentage count was higher in those with chronic bronchitis (median (range) 3.5 (1.6-14.2)) than in controls (1.3 (0.5-3.7)). These differences were most pronounced in the first recovery, representative of the bronchial lavage. There was no difference in bronchial epithelial cells. Total proteins and albumin levels were comparable and IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, transferrin and alpha 1-antitrypsin values standardised to albumin did not show any significant differences. No differences in elastase-like levels in supernatants were detected. In cell lysates elastase-like activity x 10(7) cells (macrophages+neutrophils) was increased in patients with chronic bronchitis (0.25 (0.06-4.3) compared with controls 0.08 (0.03-0.9) micrograms PPEeq). The release of O2- both at baseline and after opsonised zymosan phagocytosis did not show any differences. Correlation analysis between FEV1 and BAL fluid data showed a negative correlation only with neutrophils/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically stable non-smokers with chronic bronchitis show no alterations of local immune components, oxidant burden, and free elastase-like activity in BAL fluids, while the content of elastase-like activity in phagocytic cells is increased. As in smokers, bronchial neutrophilia is the most significant cellular modification which correlates with the degree of airflow obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Outcome of children of parents with atopic asthma and transient childhood wheezy bronchitis.

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma and wheeze only in the presence of respiratory infection (wheezy bronchitis) appear to have different prognoses and may differ in their aetiology and heritability. In particular, slight reductions in lung function may be associated with episodes of wheezing associated with intercurrent viral infection. METHODS: Outcomes for wheezing symptoms and lung function were studied in 133 offspring of three distinct groups of 69 middle aged probands with childhood histories of (1) atopic asthma (n = 18), (2) wheeze associated with upper respiratory tract infection (wheezy bronchitis, n = 24), and (3) no symptoms (n = 27). Probands were selected from a previously studied cohort in which outcomes of wheezy bronchitis and asthma had been shown to differ. RESULTS: Children of probands with wheezy bronchitis had a lower prevalence of current wheezing symptoms. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in boys of probands with a history of wheezy bronchitis were significantly reduced compared with either of the other two groups (p < 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, grouping based on parent proband had a significant effect on lung function, independent of factors such as symptoms, atopy or smoking history. CONCLUSIONS: The different symptomatic and lung function outcome in children of probands with wheezy bronchitis and asthma provides further evidence that wheezy bronchitis and asthma differ in their natural history and heritability, and suggests that there may be familial factors specific to each wheezing syndrome.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Acquired ciliary defects in bronchial epithelium of patients with chronic bronchitis.

In order to quantify and classify ciliary changes of bronchial epithelium in chronic bronchitis, an ultrastructural study on biopsy specimens of 30 patients submitted to bronchoscopy was performed. Fourteen patients were affected by endoscopically and clinically confirmed chronic bronchitis, 8 showed an endoscopic picture of chronic bronchitis but without the clinical features of this pathology, 8 were free of chronic bronchitis. The mean percentage of abnormal cilia in control subjects (1.9 +/- 1.0%) was significantly lower than in patients either with only 'endoscopic' chronic bronchitis (5.7 +/- 2.6%; p less than 0.001) or with 'clinical' chronic bronchitis (14.8 +/- 15.9%; p less than 0.05). Like the ciliary body, the ciliary tip can also show some abnormalities. It is possible to subdivide them in two types: (1) ciliary membrane blebs; (2) ciliary membrane extrusions, variously shaped and sized, with homogeneous content. Bronchial cilia abnormalities become more serious as soon as the clinical picture worsens and this is likely to contribute to the impairment of the mucociliary clearance in chronic bronchitis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Induced sputum inflammatory mediator concentrations in eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma.

Eosinophilic bronchitis is a common cause of chronic cough, which like asthma is characterized by sputum eosinophilia, but in contrast to asthma there is no variable airflow obstruction or airway hyperresponsiveness. Our hypothesis was that the differences in airway pathophysiology maybe due to less active airway inflammation in eosinophilic bronchitis, with reduced release of important effector mediators. We measured the concentration of various proinflammatory mediators in induced sputum cell-free supernatant in eight patients with eosinophilic bronchitis, 17 patients with asthma matched for sputum eosinophil count, and 10 normal subjects. Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LT) were measured by enzyme immunoassay, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) by fluoroimmunoassay, prostanoids (PGE(2), PGD(2), TXB(2), and PGF(2alpha)) by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectroscopy, and histamine by radioenzymic assay. The geometric mean sputum eosinophil count was similar in asthma (13.4%) and eosinophilic bronchitis (12.5%). Sputum cys-LT and ECP were a mean (95% CI) 1.6-fold (1.1, 2.5) and 6.4-fold (1.4, 28) higher in eosinophilic bronchitis and 1.9-fold (1.3, 2.9) and 7.7-fold (1.2, 46) higher in asthma compared with that in control subjects (geometric mean, 5.9 and 95 ng/ml, respectively). In eosinophilic bronchitis the mean concentration of sputum PGD(2) (0.79 ng/ml) and histamine (168 ng/ml) were significantly higher than in asthma (mean absolute difference in PGD(2) concentration, 0.47 ng/ml [95% CI, 0.19 to 0. 74] and mean-fold difference in histamine concentration, 6.7 [95% CI 1.7 to 26]) and normal subjects (0.64 ng/ml [0.36 to 0.90] and 11-fold [3.3 to 36]), respectively. In conclusion, eosinophilic bronchitis is associated with active airway inflammation with increased release of vasoactive and bronchoconstrictor mediators.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Socioeconomic status, asthma and chronic bronchitis in a large community-based study.

The present study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic status, using measures of occupational class and education level, and the prevalence and incidence of asthma (with and without atopy) and chronic bronchitis using data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Asthma and chronic bronchitis were studied prospectively within the ECRHS (n = 9,023). Incidence analyses comprised subjects with no history of asthma or bronchitis at baseline. Asthma symptoms were also assessed as a continuous score. Bronchitis risk was associated with low educational level (prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.8) and occupational class (1.8; 1.2-2.7). Incident bronchitis also increased with low educational level (risk ratio (RR) 2.8; 95%CI 1.5-5.4). Prevalent and incident asthma with no atopy were associated with low educational level. Subjects in the low occupational class (incident risk ratio (IRR) 1.4; 95%CI 1.2-1.7) and education group (IRR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.6) had higher mean asthma scores than those in higher socioeconomic groups. Lower educational level was associated with increased risk of prevalent and incident chronic bronchitis and asthma with no atopy. Lower socioeconomic groups tended to have a higher prevalence and incidence of asthma, particularly higher mean asthma scores. Adjustment for variables associated with asthma and bronchitis explained little of the observed health differences by socioeconomic status.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Iron-binding proteins in sputum of chronic bronchitis patients with Haemophilus influenzae infections.

Airway inflammation during infection is associated with increased transudation of serum proteins and increased production of protein by the airway epithelium. We therefore, assessed whether Haemophilus influenzae infections in patients with chronic bronchitis are associated with increased levels of transferrin and lactoferrin in the sputum compared to uninfected patients. Sputum sol phase and serum samples from 14 infected and 13 uninfected patients with chronic bronchitis and from 12 bronchial asthma patients were included in the study. The median Q-values (the concentration in sputum sol phase/the concentration in serum) x 10(3) of transferrin appeared increased in chronic bronchitis patients with an H. influenzae infection (26.0, n=13) compared to uninfected controls (9.5, n=11) and bronchial asthma patients (4.5, n=6). The ratio of the Q(transferrin)/Q(albumin) was >1 in infected chronic bronchitis patients, indicating local production of transferrin. Growth of H. influenzae was stimulated more in sputum from infected and uninfected patients with chronic bronchitis than in sputum from patients with bronchial asthma. The concentrations of lactoferrin were not significantly different in infected (n=14) and uninfected (n=13) chronic bronchitis patients and bronchial asthma patients (n=12) (median 137.4, 84.6, 87.1 mg x L(-1), respectively). We conclude that in patients with chronic bronchitis with Haemophilus influenzae infections, the levels of transferrin are increased and the levels of lactoferrin are not associated with infections.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Mortality in GOLD stages of COPD and its dependence on symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

BACKGROUND: The GOLD classification of COPD severity introduces a stage 0 (at risk) comprising individuals with productive cough and normal lung function. The aims of this study were to investigate total mortality risks in GOLD stages 0-4 with special focus on stage 0, and furthermore to assess the influence of symptoms of chronic bronchitis on mortality risks in GOLD stages 1-4. METHOD: Between 1974 and 1992, a total of 22,044 middle-aged individuals participated in a health screening, which included a spirometry as well as recording of respiratory symptoms and smoking habits. Individuals with comorbidity at baseline (diabetes, stroke, cancer, angina pectoris, or heart infarction) were excluded from the analyses. Hazard ratios (HR 95% CI) of total mortality were analyzed in GOLD stages 0-4 with individuals with normal lung function and without symptoms of chronic bronchitis as a reference group. HR:s in smoking individuals with symptoms of chronic bronchitis within the stages 1-4 were calculated with individuals with the same GOLD stage but without symptoms of chronic bronchitis as reference. RESULTS: The number of deaths was 3,674 for men and 832 for women based on 352,324 and 150,050 person-years respectively. The proportion of smokers among men was 50% and among women 40%. Self reported comorbidity was present in 4.6% of the men and 6.6% of the women. Among smoking men, Stage 0 was associated with an increased mortality risk, HR: 1.65 (1.32-2.08), of similar magnitude as in stage 2, HR: 1.41 (1.31-1.70). The hazard ratio in stage 0 was significantly higher than in stage 1; HR: 1.13 (0.98-1.29). Among male smokers with stage 1; HR: 2.04 (1.34-3.11), and among female smokers with stage 2 disease; HR: 3.16 (1.38-7.23), increased HR:s were found in individuals with symptoms of chronic bronchitis as compared to those without symptoms of chronic bronchitis. CONCLUSION: Symptoms fulfilling the definition of chronic bronchitis were associated with an increased mortality risk among male smokers with normal pulmonary function (stage 0) and also with an increased risk of death among smoking individuals with mild to moderate COPD (stage 1 and 2).

Bronchitis, Chronic↗
PubMed2000

Increased exhaled nitric oxide in chronic bronchitis: comparison with asthma and COPD.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is increased in patients with chronic bronchitis, and to compare the results with exhaled NO in patients with asthma and COPD. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Veterans Administration pulmonary function laboratory. Patients (n = 179) were recruited from 234 consecutive patients. Two nonsmoking control groups of similar age, with normal spirometry measurements and no lung disease, were used (18 patient control subjects and 20 volunteers). MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed questionnaires and spirometry testing. Exhaled NO was measured by chemiluminescence using a single-breath exhalation technique. RESULTS: Current smoking status was associated with reduced levels of exhaled NO (smokers, 9. 2 +/- 0.9 parts per billion [ppb]; never and ex-smokers, 14.3 +/- 0. 6 ppb; p < 0.0001). Current smokers (n = 57) were excluded from further analysis. Among nonsmokers, the levels of exhaled NO were significantly higher in patients with chronic bronchitis (17.0 +/- 1. 1 ppb; p = 0.035) and asthma (16.4 +/- 1.3 ppb; p = 0.05) but not in those with COPD (14.7 +/- 1.0 ppb; p = 0.17) when compared with either control group (patient control subjects, 11.1 +/- 1.6 ppb; outside control subjects, 11.5 +/- 1.5 ppb). The highest mean exhaled NO concentration occurred in patients with both chronic bronchitis and asthma (20.2 +/- 1.6 ppb; p = 0.005 vs control subjects). CONCLUSIONS: Exhaled NO is increased in patients with chronic bronchitis. The increase of exhaled NO in patients with chronic bronchitis was similar to that seen in patients with asthma. The highest mean exhaled NO occurred in patients with both chronic bronchitis and asthma. Exhaled NO was not increased in patients with COPD. Although chronic bronchitis and asthma have distinct histopathologic features, increased exhaled NO in patients with both diseases suggests common features of inflammation.

Asthma↗
PubMed2006

Chemokine concentrations and mast cell chemotactic activity in BAL fluid in patients with eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma, and in normal control subjects.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis share many immunopathologic features including increased numbers of eosinophils and mast cells in the superficial airway. The mast cell chemotactic activity of airway secretions has not been assessed in patients with eosinophilic bronchitis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the concentration of chemokines in bronchial wash samples and BAL fluid, and the mast cell chemotactic activity in BAL fluid from subjects with asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis, and from healthy control subjects. METHODS: We measured the concentrations of CCL11, CXCL8, and CXCL10 in bronchial wash samples and BAL fluid from 14 subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis, 14 subjects with asthma, and 15 healthy control subjects. Mast cell chemotaxis to BAL fluid from these subjects was examined using the human mast cell line HMC-1. RESULTS: The bronchial wash sample and BAL fluid concentrations of CXCL10 and CXCL8 was increased in subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis compared to those in subjects with asthma and healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). The CCL11 concentration was below the limit of detection in most subjects. BAL fluid from subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis was chemotactic for mast cells (1.4-fold migration compared to a control, 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.9; p = 0.04) and was inhibited by blocking CXCR1 (45% inhibition; p = 0.002), CXCR3 (38% inhibition; p = 0.034), or both (65% inhibition; p = 0.01). BAL fluid from the subjects with asthma and healthy control subjects was not chemotactic for mast cells. Mast cell migration to BAL fluid was correlated with the concentration of CXCL8 (r = 0.42; p = 0.031) and CXCL10 (r = 0.52; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis, CXCL8 and CXCL10 concentrations were elevated in airway secretions. These chemokines may play a key role in mast cell recruitment to the superficial airway in this condition.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Why are antibiotics prescribed for patients with acute bronchitis? A postintervention analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the findings in controlled trials that antibiotics provide limited benefit in the treatment of acute bronchitis, physicians frequently prescribe antibiotics for acute bronchitis. The aim of this study was to determine whether certain patient or provider characteristics could predict antibiotic use for acute bronchitis in a system where antibiotic use had already been substantially reduced through quality-improvement efforts. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed in an academic family medicine training center that had previously instituted a quality-improvement project to reduce antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis. Patients who had acute bronchitis diagnosed during an 18-month period and who had no other secondary diagnosis for respiratory distress or a condition that would justify antibiotics were selected from a computerized-record database and included in the study (n = 135). Charts were reviewed to document patient symptoms, physical findings, provider and patient characteristics, and treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-five (26%) patients received antibiotics for their acute bronchitis. Adults were more likely to receive antibiotics than children (34% vs 3%, P < .001). Analysis of 20 different symptoms and physical findings showed that symptoms and signs were poor predictors of antibiotic use. Likewise, no significant differences were found based on prescribing habits of individual providers or provider level of training. CONCLUSION: In a setting where antibiotic use for acute bronchitis had been decreased through an ongoing quality-improvement effort, it did not appear that providers selectively used antibiotics for patients with certain symptoms or signs. Other factors, such as nonclinical cues, might drive antibiotic prescribing even after clinical variation is suppressed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of chronic bronchitis and associated risk factors in a rural area of Kayseri, Central Anatolia, Turkey.

This population-based cross-sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of chronic bronchitis and associated risk factors in a rural area of Kayseri, Central Anatolia, Turkey. Subjects (1,023) aged 20-83 yrs (81.8% of eligible subjects) were interviewed using a modified version of the adult questionnaire compiled by the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Subjects with "presence of cough and phlegm on most days during at least three months per year for at least the two previous years" were classified as having chronic bronchitis. According to the criteria used, 138 (13.5%) were classified as having chronic bronchitis. The prevalence was higher in males (17.8%) than females (10.0%). There was no overall significant association between chronic bronchitis and age in males, but, in females, the difference between age groups was important. There was no association between chronic bronchitis and family income, although the prevalence was highest in the low-income group. Subjects who reported childhood respiratory illnesses had a 1.7-fold increased risk of chronic bronchitis compared to those without such a history. The prevalence was much higher among people exposed to biomass fuel combustion and among smokers and exsmokers than among nonsmokers. In multivariate analyses, a significant increase in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was seen in males, those who had received poor schooling, those reporting childhood respiratory illnesses, and those exposed to biomass fuel combustion and according to smoking habit.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Can use of antibiotics in acute bronchitis be reduced?].

BACKGROUND: Acute bronchitis is one of the most common illnesses treated in the primary care setting. Most patients are treated with antibiotics, despite the fact that acute bronchitis is often a viral infection. There is little evidence that antibiotics are of any value in the treatment of this illness. Inappropriate use of antibiotics in the treatment of this and other infectious diseases contributes to the development of resistant bacteria. The purpose of this study was to reduce the prescribing of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in patients without underlying lung disease in the acute care clinic in Arendal, Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study had three phases, the first of which was a pilot study showing that 87% of patients with acute bronchitis received a prescription for antibiotics. The next phase was an educational intervention in which the physicians were informed of the inappropriately high prescribing rate, the lack of evidence that antibiotics are useful in the treatment of acute bronchitis, and the potential of C reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnose of this illness. The third phase of the study examined the treatment given to patients after the intervention. RESULTS: The antibiotic prescribing rate was reduced from 87% to 71% after the intervention. Doxycycline was prescribed most often, followed by penicillin and erythromycin. The use of CRP increased, and the rate of antibiotic prescriptions for patients with CRP < or = 20 was reduced after the intervention. There were fewer bronchitis diagnoses and more pneumonia diagnoses made after the intervention. INTERPRETATION: An educational intervention designed for prescribing doctors may reduce the use of antibiotics in the treatment of acute bronchitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1975

Ventilatory capacity, working capacity and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in a population sample of subjects with bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis.

We have studied a representative population sample comprising 185 persons, aged 35-54 years, having certain respiratory symptoms and considered to have chronic bronchitis and/or bronchial asthma. There were 86 with bronchial asthma (without chronic bronchitis), 69 with chronic bronchitis (without asthma) and 30 with both chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Fifty-one of the 116 asthmatics had reaginic bronchial allergy. In the groups with chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma, the mean ventilatory capacities were slightly below the normal, being 89 and 91%, respectively, of the predicted values for FEV1 and 85 and 87% of those for MVV40. In the group of persons with both diseases, the mean FEV1 was 77% and the mean MVV40 84% of that predicted. Of the 21 persons with a mean FEV1 below 70% of that predicted 10 had both asthma and bronchitis. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, defined as a 15% fall of PEF after exercise, occurred in 22 of the 116 asthmatics and in one of the 69 persons with chronic bronchitis without bronchial asthma. In the asthmatics there was a significant correlation between resting PEF or the difference in PEF before and after orciprenaline inhalation on the one hand, and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction on the other hand. This was taken as an indication of increased bronchial hyperreactivity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[The change of concentration of endothelin derived from alveolar macrophages and in induced sputum in patients with chronic bronchitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of levels of endothelin (ET) in induced sputum, the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages (AMs) when cultivated with aminophylline and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD. Then to investigate the role of ET derived from AMs in chronic bronchitis and COPD. METHODS: Fourteen patients with chronic bronchitis and thirteen patients with COPD were studied. Fourteen healthy were enrolled as control. Bronchoscopy and bronchial alveolar lavage were performed routinely, BAL cells were count with hemacytometer and differentater with wright stain. Sputum induction with 4% saline was performed on twenty-six subjects. The levels of ET in BALF and in the culture supernatants of AMs were measured by radioimmunoassay methods. RESULTS: (1) The number of all cells, neutrophils and AMs in BALF of patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD were significantly higher than those of healthy control group (P < 0.01 respectively). (2) The levels of ET in the culture supernatants of AMs and induced sputum were higher in heathy than those in patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD (P < 0.01 respectively). But there were no differences between patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD (P > 0.05 respectively). (3) Positive correlation was found between the levels of ET in the culture supernatants of AMs and those in induced sputum (r = 0.741, P < 0.01), between the number of AMs and the levels of ET in induced sputum (r = 0.597, P < 0.01). (4) Negative correlation was found between FEV(1)% of predicted value and the levels of ET in the culture supernatants of AMs in patients with COPD (r = -0.828, P < 0.01), between FEV(1)% of predited value and the levels of ET in induced sputum in patients with COPD (r = -0.748, P < 0.05). (5) In the culture with aminophylline, the level of ET derived from AMs remained stable (P > 0.05). But in the culture with LPS, the level of ET was significantly higher than that in the culture with DMEM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: (1) The characteristics of non-specific airway inflammation in patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD is the increased numbers of neutrophils and AMs. (2) AMs are perhaps important sources of ET in the lung. LPS can stimulate AMs to secrete more ET. ET derived from AMs takes part in development of COPD.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The nature of chronic asthmatic bronchitis].

In order to study the nature of chronic asthmatic bronchitis, we compared the clinical features of patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and simple chronic bronchitis. We also measured FEV1 on these patients before and after inhaling 1% isoproterenol aerosol as well as after administration of oral prednisone (40 mg/day) for a week. The results showed that there was little difference in terms of precipitating factors, attacking features, premonitory symptoms, developing course and relieving measures between the patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. The improved percentage of FEV1 (more than 15%) on the patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis after inhalation of bronchodilator aerosol and administration of oral prednisone showed no significant difference from that of bronchial asthma. We suggest that the former term be replaced by the term of chronic bronchitis associated with asthma. It can probably avoid the confusion on the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed1986

Chronic bronchitis in northern Sweden; a seven year follow-up.

In 1974 a prevalence survey of chronic bronchitis was performed in the Hörnefors community on individuals in the age group 20-65 years. Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 44 individuals giving a prevalence of 2.2% (3.4% in men and 0.9% in women). Of the individuals with chronic bronchitis 79% were men, 85% above 40 years of age, 80% smokers or ex-smokers and 75% were or had been employed at a nearby sulphite pulp factory. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency phenotypes (MZ, MS, MF) were present in 11 (25% of the individuals). Spirometric obstruction was found in 12 (27%) of the individuals with chronic bronchitis. At a seven-year follow-up four of the 12 individuals with obstructive chronic bronchitis had died from chronic respiratory insufficiency, the remaining individuals still having obstructive chronic bronchitis (no information present in one individual). In individuals with simple chronic bronchitis two had developed obstruction and 12 (38%) had improved now having no respiratory symptoms. The improvement in most of them was due to termination of smoking or change of work.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

An association between acute bronchitis and asthma.

The relationship between the common acute bronchitis syndrome and atopic disease was examined using a retrospective, case-control method. The charts of 116 acute bronchitis patients and of a control group of 60 patients with irritable colon syndrome were reviewed for evidence of previous and subsequent atopic disease or asthma. Bronchitis patients were more likely to have a previous history of asthma, a personal history or diagnosis of atopic disease, and more previous and subsequent visits for acute bronchitis. The main finding of the study was a tenfold increase in the subsequent visit rate for asthma in the acute bronchitis group. Thirty percent of patients with acute bronchitis made return visits for unresolved cough despite an 83 percent rate of antibiotic use. These findings challenge the common belief that the symptoms of acute bronchitis are solely infectious in origin and suggest the involvement of occult bronchospasm.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lung function and gastroesophageal reflux during chronic bronchitis (author's transl)].

The coexistence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and respiratory diseases has led us to raise three questions : 1) how frequent is GER in patients with chronic bronchitis?, 2) is the respiratory function in patients with chronic bronchitis different when they have a GER and when they do not?, 3) is the GER different in patients with chronic bronchitis and in subjects not suffering with chronic bronchitis? The study of esophageal pH after a test meal showed there was a GER in 29 out of the 47 patients studied. The measurements of lung volume, air flow, pulmonary compliance, as well as the alveolo-capillary transfer of carbon monoxide, showed that there was no difference in the lung function of bronchitics whether they had a reflux or not. On the other hand, refluxes are less frequent but longer in patients having bronchitis and a GER, than in those having a GER but not having bronchitis. This must be linked to a low esophageal clearance which could be related to the attack of bronchitis. Only a well carried out prospective study of the treatment of GER in patients will reveal if the reflux increases bronchitic symptoms.

Bronchitis↗