Do eosinophil counts correlate differently with asthma severity by symptoms versus peak flow rate?
GROUND: Discrepancy in asthmatic assessment by symptoms and peak flow rate (PFR) is a frequent dilemma. Currently, total peripheral eosinophil count (TPEC) is under study for asthma evaluation. OBJECTIVES: To explore the correlation between TPEC and asthma severity assessed by symptoms alone versus symptoms and PFR. METHOD: Adults asthmatics were selected from the Asthma Clinic. Severity assessment was based on two methods: symptoms alone or symptoms and PFR. Expiratory PFR was recorded by a Wright peak flow meter. Severity levels included mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. Total peripheral eosinophil count was performed on a Celldyn-3500 counter. Data was analyzed for statistical significance. RESULTS: Sixty asthmatics aged 15 to 70 years (mean = 34 years), of which 68.3% were female, were studied. Severity levels differed between the two assessment methods in 45% of the cases and showed a predominance of the moderate persistent type. Total
Related Questions
- If my doctor and I suspect exercise-induced asthma, do I need to do a spirometry test or can I just use my peak flow meter?
- Do subjects investigated for occupational asthma through serial peak expiratory flow measurements falsify their results?
- Can peak expiratory flow predict airflow obstruction in children with asthma?
