The change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in response to a bronchodilator (ΔFEV1) is a diagnostic tool. Moreover, bronchodilation testing may give clinically relevant outcomes beyond diagnostic purposes. The present study aimed, therefore, to investigate the nationwide role of bronchodilation testing in daily practice. The study included 280 subjects, 202 (72.1%) males and 78 (27.9%) females; the mean age was 11.6 years. Notably, 67 (24%) children had bronchial reversibility (BDR). Age, initial FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FVC were significantly associated with BDR (OR 1.16, 1.66, 0.71, and 0.67, respectively). Interestingly, 39 (58.2%) children with BDR had no bronchial obstruction. In conclusion, the BDR is usually associated with low values of the lung function parameters, even if within the normal ranges.
Keywords: Asthma; adolescents; asthma control; bronchodilation; children; reversibility.