European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways characterised by exaggerated bronchoconstriction due to certain indirect (e.g. dust, pollens, allergens, cold air) or direct (inhaled methacholine) stimuli. Autonomic nervous system plays an important role in regulation of airways and their secretion. Any abnormality in autonomic regulation of airways, may lead to bronchospasm, airway edema and excessive mucous secretion which are the event that take place in pathogenesis of airway obstruction in bronchial asthma. This study was planned to demonstrate existence of autonomic dysfunction in pathophysiology of bronchial asthma.
Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the autonomic functions between bronchial asthma patients and normal controls.
Materials and Methods: As per American Thoracic Society guidelines 45 male bronchial asthma patients in the age group of 20- 50 years were chosen. 45 age and sex matched controls were chosen for comparison. Standardized autonomic function tests were done. Statistical analysis was done using students unpaired t’ test.
Results: Significantly higher basal heart rate was found in asthmatics in comparison with controls. Parasympathetic function tests showed significantly higher values in asthmatics compared with controls. Statistically significant difference is also found in the sympathetic function tests between asthmatics and normal controls.
Conclusion: Our study shows that autonomic dysfunction is present in asthmatic patients. Parasympathetic activity is enhanced in asthmatics, thus supporting the hypothesis of enhanced parasympathetic reactivity as an integral factor in pathophysiology of bronchial asthma.