Summarizing methacholine bronchoprovocation data in epidemiological surveys
Enarson, D.A.; Schulzer, M.; Vedal, S.; Chan-Yeung, M.
Bulletin Europeen de Physiopathologie Respiratoire 23(4): 387-389
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0395-3890 PMID: 3318967 Document Number: 295973
We have performed bronchoprovocation tests with methacholine in 41 patients with asthma due to Western red cedar dust and in 56 office-workers without known respiratory illness. Our purpose was to define a summary statistic for useful bronchial hyperresponsiveness in epidemiologic surveys. We found a significant linear relationship between the concentration of methacholine and the FEV1 response. We noted, in addition, a positive relation between the rate of the FEV1 response per concentration and the level of FEV1. We conclude that a linear dose-response slope, which can be calculated for each individual, provides a comprehensive summary of methacholine bronchoprovocation tests and is useful in epidemiologic surveys.