P Paoletti, L Carrozzi, G Viegi, P Modena, L Ballerin, F Di Pede, L Grado, S Baldacci, M Pedreschi and M Vellutini
CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, University of Pisa, Italy.

Bronchial responsiveness (BR) was assessed by the methacholine challenge test in 1,694 subjects from a sample of the general population (aged 8 to 73 yr) enrolled in a prospective epidemiologic study on the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Information on respiratory symptoms and risk factors for COPD were obtained with a standardized questionnaire. The provocative dose causing a 10%, 15%, and 20% decrease in FEV1 was reached in 939 (55%), 658 (39%), and 447 (26%) subjects, respectively, after the last cumulative dose of methacholine (i.e., 4.8 mg). The slope of the dose- response curve was also computed in order to attribute a parameter to subjects who did not reach the provocative dose. After natural log transformation, the slope (Ln Slope) of the curve showed a significant association with the degree of airway obstruction, as assessed by FEV1% predicted, FEV1/VC%, and FEV1/FVC%. Therefore, relationships between BR, sex, age, and smoking were evaluated after adjustments for the initial airway caliber (FEV1, FEV1 adjusted for height, and FEV1/VC%). Females showed significantly higher values of Ln Slope than did males after adjustments were made for baseline lung function. In males, higher BR was observed in childhood-adolescence age groups and at older ages, while in females a higher level of BR was observed during childhood. Significantly higher Ln Slope values were found for females who currently smoked than for non- and ex-smokers. No difference was observed in males in relation to smoking habit.2+

This article has been cited by other articles:

				O. A. Minai, J. Benditt, and F. J. Martinez Natural History of Emphysema Proceedings of the ATS, May 1, 2008; 5(4): 468 - 474. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. D. Sin, S. B.-Z. Cohen, A. Day, H. Coxson, and P. D. Pare Understanding the Biological Differences in Susceptibility to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease between Men and Women Proceedings of the ATS, December 1, 2007; 4(8): 671 - 674. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. J. Martinez, J. L. Curtis, F. Sciurba, J. Mumford, N. D. Giardino, G. Weinmann, E. Kazerooni, S. Murray, G. J. Criner, D. D. Sin, et al. Sex Differences in Severe Pulmonary Emphysema Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., August 1, 2007; 176(3): 243 - 252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Ben-Zaken Cohen, P. D. Pare, S. F. P. Man, and D. D. Sin The Growing Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer in Women: Examining Sex Differences in Cigarette Smoke Metabolism Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., July 15, 2007; 176(2): 113 - 120. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Carey, J. W. Card, J. A. Bradbury, M. P. Moorman, N. Haykal-Coates, S. H. Gavett, J. P. Graves, V. R. Walker, G. P. Flake, J. W. Voltz, et al. Spontaneous Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Estrogen Receptor-{alpha}-deficient Mice Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., January 15, 2007; 175(2): 126 - 135. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-C. L. Machado, J. A. Krishnan, S. A. Buist, A. L. Bilderback, G. P. Fazolo, M. G. Santarosa, F. Queiroga Jr., and W. M. Vollmer Sex Differences in Survival of Oxygen-dependent Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 1, 2006; 174(5): 524 - 529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M H Brutsche, S H Downs, C Schindler, M W Gerbase, J Schwartz, M Frey, E W Russi, U Ackermann-Liebrich, P Leuenberger, and for the SAPALDIA Team Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the development of asthma and COPD in asymptomatic individuals: SAPALDIA Cohort Study Thorax, August 1, 2006; 61(8): 671 - 677. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Zielinski, M. Bednarek, D. Gorecka, G. Viegi, S. S. Hurd, Y. Fukuchi, C. K. W. Lai, P. X. Ran, F. W. S. Ko, S. M. Liu, et al. Increasing COPD awareness. Eur. Respir. J., April 1, 2006; 27(4): 833 - 852. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Chinn, D. Jarvis, C. M. Luczynska, U. Ackermann-Liebrich, J. M. Anto, I. Cerveri, R. de Marco, T. Gislason, J. Heinrich, C. Janson, et al. An Increase in Bronchial Responsiveness Is Associated with Continuing or Restarting Smoking Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., October 15, 2005; 172(8): 956 - 961. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Scichilone, M. Messina, S. Battaglia, F. Catalano, and V. Bellia Airway hyperresponsiveness in the elderly: prevalence and clinical implications Eur. Respir. J., February 1, 2005; 25(2): 364 - 375. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B.W.M. Willemse, D.S. Postma, W. Timens, and N.H.T. ten Hacken The impact of smoking cessation on respiratory symptoms, lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation Eur. Respir. J., March 1, 2004; 23(3): 464 - 476. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.T. Weiss, D.L. DeMeo, and D.S. Postma COPD: problems in diagnosis and measurement Eur. Respir. J., June 1, 2003; 21(41_suppl): 4S - 12s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L.-P. Boulet Asymptomatic Airway Hyperresponsiveness: A Curiosity or an Opportunity to Prevent Asthma? Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., February 1, 2003; 167(3): 371 - 378. [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Gehlbach, J. P. Kress, J. Kahn, C. DeRuiter, A. Pohlman, and J. Hall Correlates of Prolonged Hospitalization in Inner-city ICU Patients Receiving Noninvasive and Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation for Status Asthmaticus Chest, November 1, 2002; 122(5): 1709 - 1714. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bottai, F. Pistelli, F. Di Pede, L. Carrozzi, S. Baldacci, G. Matteelli, A. Scognamiglio, and G. Viegi Longitudinal changes of body mass index, spirometry and diffusion in a general population Eur. Respir. J., September 1, 2002; 20(3): 665 - 673. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Schwartz, C. Schindler, E. Zemp, A. P. Perruchoud, J.-P. Zellweger, B. Wuthrich, P. Leuenberger, and U. Ackermann-Liebrich Predictors of Methacholine Responsiveness in a General Population* Chest, September 1, 2002; 122(3): 812 - 820. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. S. Van Winkle, A. D. Gunderson, J. A. Shimizu, G. L. Baker, and C. D. Brown Gender differences in naphthalene metabolism and naphthalene-induced acute lung injury Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, May 1, 2002; 282(5): L1122 - L1134. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K G Tantisira and S T Weiss Complex interactions in complex traits: obesity and asthma Thorax, September 1, 2001; 56(90002): ii64 - 74. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.M. Anto, P. Vermeire, J. Vestbo, and J. Sunyer Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2001; 17(5): 982 - 994. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. R. Trawick, C. Holm, and J. Wirth Influence of Gender on Rates of Hospitalization, Hospital Course, and Hypercapnea in High-Risk Patients Admitted for Asthma : A 10-year Retrospective Study at Yale-New Haven Hospital Chest, January 1, 2001; 119(1): 115 - 119. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. K. SILVERMAN, S. T. WEISS, J. M. DRAZEN, H. A. CHAPMAN, V. CAREY, E. J. CAMPBELL, P. DENISH, R. A. SILVERMAN, J. C. CELEDON, J. J. REILLY, et al. Gender-Related Differences in Severe, Early-Onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., December 1, 2000; 162(6): 2152 - 2158. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. R. Grimm, D. Chandy, P. L. Almenoff, G. Schilero, and M. Lesser Airway Hyperreactivity in Subjects With Tetraplegia Is Associated With Reduced Baseline Airway Caliber Chest, November 1, 2000; 118(5): 1397 - 1404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. PALMER, P. R. BURTON, J. A. FAUX, A. L. JAMES, A. WILLIAM MUSK, and W. O. C. M. COOKSON Independent Inheritance of Serum Immunoglobulin E Concentrations and Airway Responsiveness Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., June 1, 2000; 161(6): 1836 - 1843. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. R. OWNBY, E. L. PETERSON, and C. C. JOHNSON Factors Related to Methacholine Airway Responsiveness in Children Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2000; 161(5): 1578 - 1583. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Viegi, M. Pedreschi, F. Pistelli, F. Di Pede, S. Baldacci, L. Carrozzi, and C. Giuntini Prevalence of Airways Obstruction in a General Population : European Respiratory Society vs American Thoracic Society Definition Chest, May 1, 2000; 117(5_suppl_2): 339S - 345S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. PISTELLI, M. BOTTAI, G. VIEGI, F. DI PEDE, L. CARROZZI, S. BALDACCI, M. PEDRESCHI, and C. GIUNTINI Smooth Reference Equations for Slow Vital Capacity and Flow-Volume Curve Indexes Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2000; 161(3): 899 - 905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. P. Shriver, H. A. Bourdeau, C. T. Gubish, D. L. Tirpak, A. L. G. Davis, J. D. Luketich, and J. M. Siegfried Sex-Specific Expression of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor: Relationship to Smoking History and Risk of Lung Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, January 5, 2000; 92(1): 24 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R Becklake and F. Kauffmann Gender differences in airway behaviour over the human life span Thorax, December 1, 1999; 54(12): 1119 - 1138. [Full Text]

				M. H. GROL, D. S. POSTMA, J. M. VONK, J. P. SCHOUTEN, B. RIJCKEN, G. H. KOËTER, and J. GERRITSEN Risk Factors from Childhood to Adulthood for Bronchial Responsiveness at Age 32-42 yr Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., July 1, 1999; 160(1): 150 - 156. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. B Coultas Health effects of passive smoking bullet  8 : Passive smoking and risk of adult asthma and COPD: an update Thorax, May 1, 1998; 53(5): 381 - 387. [Full Text]

				B. LEYNAERT, J. BOUSQUET, C. HENRY, R. LIARD, and F. NEUKIRCH Is Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness More Frequent in Women than in Men? . A Population-based Study Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., November 1, 1997; 156(5): 1413 - 1420. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. M. MANNINO, C. BROWN, and G. A. GIOVINO Obstructive Lung Disease Deaths in the United States from 1979 through 1993 . An Analysis Using Multiple-Cause Mortality Data Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 1, 1997; 156(3): 814 - 818. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]