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ASTHMA/LUNG DISEASE

There is new research just released which shows adults with asthma may have an increased risk for developing a different and much longer term lung disease. According to a study published in the medical journal Chest, patients with asthma are at a much higher risk for developing COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

There is new research just released which shows adults with asthma may have an increased risk for developing a different and much longer term lung disease. According to a study published in the medical journal Chest, patients with asthma are at a much higher risk for developing COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

For 32 year old Dana Conte, having asthma can be a frightening experience. “It’s kind of like suffocating, as if someone put a pillow over your head and just held it there for a while. It’s not a pleasant experience and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” says Dana. But to her, it’s not the worst thing one can have. “My biggest fear in life is my asthma developing into emphysema.”

Actually, until now, that would not have been considered a possibility. Asthma and COPD, of which emphysema is one type, are considered distinct medical conditions. Only the organs affected--the lungs--are the same.

With asthma, the airways in the lung clamp down. As well, the cells lining the lung become inflammed, and there is excess secretion of mucus. Chronic bronchitis is much like asthma, but doesn't resolve.

Emphysema affects the air sacs, or alveoli at the end of the smallest breathing tubes. The walls between the sacs are destroyed, and that destroys the ability of the lung to exchange stale air for fresh air. A loss of elasticity causes the lungs to become enlarged.

But this new research suggests adults with asthma, in New York and elsewhere, may have an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the study which spanned 20 years, patients with active asthma were 10 times more likely to acquire symptoms of chronic bronchitis and 17 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of emphysema.

The findings are difficult to explain. Dr. Clifford, Bassett, an allergist and asthma specialist at Long Island College Hospital says, “Some patients may be under-diagnosed, they may have COPD and may be classified as having asthma or they may have both.”
No association was found between inactive asthma and these other lung conditions. And the study actually removed smoking from the mix as a factor, and found the asthmatics were still at risk. However, it also found that current smoking was significantly associated with an increased risk of acquiring COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis as well.
The researchers caution that more research is needed to understand risk factors for onset and progression of COPD.

One thing is certain: getting an accurate diagnosis of asthma, and proper treatment is key. Certain medications, including anti-inflammatory, may help prevent the development of COPD. “They need to have a proper diagnosis, pulmonary function testing, allergy testing and be identified as truly having asthma and be sure they don’t have COPD or other problems,” says Dr. Bassett.

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