Oscillometry helps assess treatment responsiveness in adults with asthma exacerbations

Background: It is necessary to evaluate the severity of asthma exacerbations for subjective symptoms and objective indicators. When patients cannot perform spirometry, oscillometry is a surrogate test.

Objective: We assessed the usefulness of oscillometry for the evaluation of treatment responsiveness in patients with asthma exacerbations.

Methods: The subjects included 21 consecutive patients with asthma exacerbations. Symptomatic responses, oscillometry, and spirometry (if possible) were assessed before and after treatment with corticosteroids and aminophylline.

Results: After treatment, all of the patients were allowed to return home and had no hospital visits. Oscillometry was feasible in all patients; however, spirometry could not be performed in 9 patients. Overall, there was a significant improvement in wheezing scores and oscillometric parameters, but not in FEV1 after treatment. The thresholds for a positive bronchodilator response in oscillometry were observed in 4 or more patients, while the minimal clinically important differences in FEV1 were observed in one patient.

Conclusion: Oscillometry can detect improvements that cannot.