Abstract
The effects of long-term glucocorticoid therapy on airway inflammation were examined in 84 asthma patients. The proportion of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was significantly decreased in patients with steroid-dependent intractable asthma (SDIA) compared to results in non-SDIA patients, while BAL neutrophils were significantly increased in SDIA patients compared to results in non-SDIA patients. Regarding age, in patients under the age of 69 (except those between 30 and 39), BAL lymphocyte number was significantly decreased in SDIA compared with non-SDIA subjects, and in patients between 50 and 69, BAL neutrophils were significantly increased in SDIA compared with non-SDIA subjects. The number of BAL lymphocytes was significantly lower in patients with serum cortisol levels of less than 5.0 μg/dl than in those with levels of more than 5.1 μg/dl. BAL lymphocyte number was also significantly lower in patients who had received glucocorticoid therapy for more than 6 years than in those who had received such therapy for 2 years. These results show that long-term glucocorticoid therapy decreases the number of lymphocytes and increases neutrophil numbers in the airways.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 309-318 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Asthma |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1 1993 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Immunology and Allergy
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine