Abstract | AIM OF THE STUDY: Patients with asthma may develop bronchoconstriction after ingestion of sulfites. We studied the sensitivity and specificity of an oral provocation challenge with metabisulfite to detect a sulfite-sensitive asthma. METHODS: We performed an oral dose-response metabisulfite challenge in 44 patients with a history of sulfite-sensitive asthma, 27 patients with asthma but without a history of sulfite sensitivity, and 8 control subjects without asthma. Metabisulfite was administered in capsules in a single-blind manner. Airway response was assessed by FEV decline, measured 30' after each dose. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of patients with a history of sulfite-sensitive asthma demonstrated a significant bronchoconstriction after ingestion of metabisulfite, whereas patients without an appropriate history and control subjects did not respond to the challenge. CONCLUSIONS: The oral metabisulfite challenge exhibits a high specificity (100%) but low sensitivity of about 40%. Nonetheless, taking into account the uncertainties in the patients' history of sulfite-sensitive asthma, the oral metabisulfite challenge as performed by us is a useful method for the diagnosis of sulfite sensitive asthma.
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Authors | H Hein, D Kirsten, R A Jörres, H Magnussen |
Journal | Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany)
(Pneumologie)
Vol. 50
Issue 6
Pg. 394-8
(Jun 1996)
ISSN: 0934-8387 [Print] Germany |
Vernacular Title | Die orale Testung auf Sulfitasthma. |
PMID | 8766371
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adult
- Airway Resistance
(drug effects)
- Asthma
(diagnosis, immunology)
- Female
- Forced Expiratory Volume
(drug effects)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Respiratory Hypersensitivity
(diagnosis, immunology)
- Single-Blind Method
- Sulfites
(adverse effects, immunology)
- Vital Capacity
(drug effects)
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