Efeito do índice de massa corpórea na gravidade da asma e na reatividade brônquica induzida pelo exercício em crianças asmáticas com sobrepeso e obesas / Effect of body mass index on asthma severity and exercise-induced bronchial reactivity in overweight and obese asthmatic children

OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre o grau de obesidade ou sobrepeso medido pelo índice de massa corpórea (IMC) de crianças e adolescentes asmáticos com a gravidade clínica e funcional da doença e com a intensidade do broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE). MÉTODOS: 20 pacientes com idade entre seis e 18 anos, asma persistente e sobrepeso ou obesidade foram submetidos ao teste padronizado com exercício em bicicleta ergométrica e avaliação seriada dos parâmetros espirométricos, realizada aos 3, 6, 10, 15, 20 e 30 minutos após o exercício. BIE foi definido como a queda do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) >10 por cento e/ou do fluxo médio expiratório forçado medido entre 25 e 75 por cento da capacidade vital forçada (FEF25-75 por cento) >26 por cento em relação aos valores pré-teste. Foram avaliadas as freqüências de positividade do teste e as maiores quedas de VEF1 e FEF25-75 por cento após o término do exercício. RESULTADOS: A gravidade clínica da asma foi considerada leve, moderada e grave em dez, cinco e cinco pacientes, respectivamente. Houve BIE em 50 por cento dos pacientes testados. Não houve correlação significativa entre os seguintes parâmetros confrontados: valores de IMC e valores basais do VEF1 e FEF25-75 por cento percentuais em relação ao previsto; valores do IMC e as maiores quedas do VEF1 e do FEF25-75 por cento em relação aos valores basais; valores do IMC e gravidade da asma. A melhor correlação ocorreu entre o IMC e as maiores quedas do FEF25-75 por cento em relação ao basal. CONCLUSÕES: O IMC não teve influência no grau de hiperresponsividade brônquica induzida pelo exercício em crianças asmáticas com sobrepeso e obesas e na gravidade da obstrução basal medida pelo VEF1 e FEF25-75 por cento.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the degree of obesity or overweight measured by the body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents with asthma and the clinical and functional severity of the disease and the intensity of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). METHODS: 20 patients (age range: 6-18 years) with persistent asthma, with overweight or obesity, were submitted to a standardized exercise test on an ergometric bicycle, followed by serial evaluations of spirometric parameters performed at 3, 6, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes after the exercise. EIB was defined as a decrease in FEV1>10 percent and/or FEF25-75 percent >26 percent when compared to pre-test values. The positivity of the test was evaluated as the highest decreases in FEV1 and FEF25-75 percent after the end of the exercise. RESULTS: Asthma severity was considered mild, moderate and severe in ten, five and five patients, respectively. EIB was observed in 50 percent of the studied children. There was no significant correlation among the following parameters: BMI and basal FEV1 and FEF25-75 percent in relation to the predicted value; BMI and the highest decrease in FEV1 and FEF25-75 percent in relation to the basal levels; BMI and asthma severity. The best correlation was obtained between BMI and the highest decreases in FEF25-75 percent in relation to basal levels. CONCLUSIONS: The BMI did not influence the degree of exercise-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness in overweight and obese children and adolescents with asthma as well as the degree of basal obstruction measured by FEV1 and FEF25-75 percent.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in paediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a severe complication in children, adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), the prevalence of which ranges from 6-25%. The disease is the result of the colonisation of the respiratory tract by fungi of the genus Aspergillus, commonly Aspergillus fumigatus, and subsequent host sensitisation to fungal antigens, accompanied by a Th2 CD4 type response mediated by the production of specific IgE. The consequent inflammatory and obstructive bronchopulmonary injury can progress to fibrosis. The diagnosis should be considered early in patients with CF who show wheezing, transient pulmonary infiltrates and reduced lung function. The objective diagnosis is not straightforward because of overlapping clinical and radiological signs, particularly the progression of bronchiectasis. Specific criteria are needed for the diagnosis of ABPA in patients with CF, such as those proposed by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The study of specific IgE against recombinant antigens of A. fumigatus has contributed to the early diagnosis of ABPA with high sensitivity and specificity. The technique has also shown promise in the follow-up of patients after steroid therapy and the early detection of recurrences. Treatment consists of long-term systemic corticosteroid usage, the monitoring of their adverse effects, and of the measurement of total serum IgE levels. The concomitant use of oral itraconazole seems to promote a better control of the disease and to reduce the duration of systemic steroid therapy but its use continues to be controversial. Controlled studies involving larger numbers of patients are necessary if we are to better understand the management of ABPA.