Reproducibility of allergen-induced early and late asthmatic responses

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 Jun;95(6):1191-5. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(95)70075-7.

Abstract

Background: Constant-dose allergen inhalation challenges are frequently used to examine the effect of antiasthma drugs on the allergen-induced early and late asthmatic responses. The end-point measurements in such studies are the maximal early and late percent decreases in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Objective: Our purpose was to observe the reproducibility and to determine the sample sizes required for such studies.

Methods: Twenty-eight subjects with allergen-induced early and late responses were studied with two constant-dose allergen challenges separated by 2 to 12 weeks. The early response was measured as the maximum percent decrease in FEV1 during the first 2 hours and the late response as the maximum percent decrease in FEV1 between 3 to 7 hours.

Results: The mean +/- SEM early responses were 23.1% +/- 1.0% and 24.7% +/- 2.0%, whereas the mean late responses were 23.3% +/- 2.0% and 24.5% +/- 2.2%. Reproducibility of measurements were such that fewer than eight subjects are required, to show 50% attenuation of either the early or late response (with 90% power).

Conclusions: The method of constant-dose allergen challenge is a sensitive tool for detecting changes in early and late asthmatic responses after the use of antiasthma medication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Allergens / administration & dosage*
  • Asthma / chemically induced*
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Humans

Substances

  • Allergens