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Authors of a Prospective, Observational Study Published in Respiratory medicine Found A Link Between Diaphragm Dysfunction and Poor Asthma Control with Lonar Disease Duration. Andrea Portacci EVALUATED DIAPHRAGM FUNCTION IN 50 PATINS WITH ASTTHMA AND 50 HEALTHY CONTROLS. The Researchers Used Tidal Breathing Thicking Fraction (TF) To Assess Diaphragmatic Contraction, with Diaphragm Dysfunction Defined as TF Less Than 20%. ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS INCLUDED SPIROMETRY, Oscillometry, Hay, Blood Eosinophil Count, and the Sniff Inspiratory Nasal Pressure (SNIP) Test. Patients with Asthma Exhibited Significantly Lower Diaphragm Tf Compreded with Healthy Controls (P<0.001), with Dysfunction Affecting 62% to 66% of the right hemidiaphragm and 46% to 54% of the left. LOWER TF WAS ASSOCIATED WITH LONGRER DISEASE Duration (P= 0.03) and Higher Exacerbation Rates (P =0.04) But Showed in Correlation with Lung Function, Th2 Biomarkers, or Asthma Treatments. Snip Measurements Did Not Correlate with Tf. Study Limitations Included a Small Sample Size and Cross-Sectional Design. The Researchers Concluded That Diaphragm Function May Be a Treatable Trait in Asthma, Contributing to Persistent Sympton and Exercise IntoleRance.
