[Inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and reversible bronchial obstruction in asthma: are they related?].

: Inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and reversible bronchial obstruction are three features of asthma. Even if numerous studies have in part clarified the relationships between them, some pathogenetic aspects nevertheless remain unclear even today. The origins of hyperresponsiveness still escape us and the relationship of this with the entity of bronchial inflammation looks weak. Bronchial obstruction does not result correlated with the symptoms of asthma or with hyperresponsiveness. In some studies there has been reported a significant relationship between degree of hyperresponsiveness and reversibility after inhalation of beta2-agonists. Given the scarce interdependence highlighted by these features of asthma, it is presently an argument for discussion whether the valuation of each is useful during the monitoring of the state and evolution of the disease.