La tecnica dell'espettorato indotto nella valutazione dell'asma e delle altre patologie polmonari (II parte)

The analysis o{ induced sputum is currenlly used in tlze evaluation o( ainvay in{lammation in respiratory di:.-ea.ses. In astllma, spmum markers o{ eosinophilic inflammation are higher and correlate better with cli1tical and {i.mctional data than the same markers measured in blood or serum. Sputum inflammarory markers increase dwing asthma exacerbation and after e;cposure to some pollutanls, and decrease after steroid treatmem. In occupational asthma, the analysis of induced sputum shows different pattems o[ airway inflammation depending on tlze sensitil:.ing agent. Asymptomatic asthmatic patients with high sputum eosinophil percentages are a t higher risk o[ exacerbation after cessatimi o( steroid treatment. In chronic obsctmctive pulmonary disease (COPD), the analysis o( induced sputum adds infonnation on tlze patlmgenesi:.· o[ the disease, and migli/ be use{ul in evaluating and monitoring COPD patients. lnduced sputum composition changes even in diseases not directly involving the ainvays, such as interstilial pulmonary diseases and rhinitis. 11ws, tl1e analysis o[ induced sputmn is help{ul in understanding and monitoring respiratory diseases