A RECENT study has revealed how patient-reported asthma symptoms can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disease, opening new avenues for personalised treatment strategies. The research, conducted at the Liege University Hospital Asthma Clinic in Belgium, analysed data from 505 adult asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists between 2018 and 2023.
The study assessed the intensity of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnoea, wheezing, chest tightness, cough, and airway secretions using a five-point Likert scale. Researchers then explored how these self-reported symptoms correlated with lung function and inflammation markers through advanced statistical analyses.
Key findings showed that cough was more common among women, smokers, and patients with higher levels of airway inflammation, as indicated by eosinophil counts. Chest tightness was predominantly reported by younger individuals and women, especially those with reduced lung function. Wheezing was associated with younger age, smoking, and obesity, while dyspnoea correlated with higher BMI and lower lung function. Patients reporting airway secretions were more likely to be smokers.
These results highlight that distinct respiratory symptoms are linked to specific demographic, functional, and inflammatory features in asthma patients. For instance, women and smokers exhibited unique symptom patterns, suggesting that treatments could be tailored to these subgroups to better address their needs.
The study’s authors emphasised the importance of incorporating patient-reported symptom data into asthma care. Understanding the connections between subjective symptoms and objective clinical markers could allow healthcare providers to refine treatment plans, target inflammation more effectively, and improve overall patient outcomes.
This research represents a significant step toward personalised asthma management, demonstrating how patient experiences can be a powerful tool for tailoring care in this complex condition.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Louis G et al. When patient-reported respiratory symptoms shed light on pathophysiology in adult asthma: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2024;DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-81745-9.
