It is generally accepted that symptoms and lung function are not sufficient ways to monitor asthma control. Therefore, several objective tests have been developed to help asthma control monitoring, each having their own shortcomings. We have developed a new test, the hypertonic saline cough challenge. In our previous publication this test has proven useful in diagnosing asthma. The present study is planned to investigate whether hypertonic saline cough challenge could be used to monitor asthma control. A group of steroid-naive asthmatics will be recruited. A treatment with inhaled budesonide is started. Asthma control is monitored at regular intervals utilising a validated questionnaire. At the same time points, hypertonic saline cough challenges will be performed. We will analyse whether changes in the responsiveness to the cough challenge reflects the changes in asthma control
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
Budesonide is given via inhalation utilising a dry powder inhaler called Easyhaler. The dosage is 400 ug twice daily. The duration of the study is 12 weeks but very probably the patients continue the usage of this drug as a part of their routine clinical management.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital
Kuopio, Finland
Changes in responsiveness to hypertonic saline cough challenge
Time frame: Before budesonide treatment, and after 1, 4, and 12 weeks' treatment
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