Mannitol test results in asthmatic adults receiving inhaled corticosteroids

摘要

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is measured by using provocation agents that act either directly on specific receptors to cause contraction of airway smooth muscle and airway narrowing (eg, methacholine) or indirectly via the release of mast cell mediators (eg, exercise and mannitol). The methacholine challenge test (MCT), particularly using the tidal volume method, is highly sensitive, although not highly specific, for identifying the BHR of asthma.1 Indirect tests while highly specific for the diagnosis of asthma are usually considered less sensitive than MCT to identify BHR.2 The sensitivity of indirect tests to identify BHR is reduced during treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The inhibition of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction by ICS is a good example of this.