Abstract
Introduction: Asthma usually responds to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (with or without the addition of long-acting beta agonists or other drugs) and that means no symptoms and normal lung function or as close to normal as possible. Now, when asthma is inadequately controlled despite a therapeutic strategy adapted and tailored to the level of clinical severity, indicated by a specialist and at least six months duration is regarded Difficult Asthma Control (DAC).
Objective: To evaluate the functional and neurophysiological aspects of patients with DAC.
Method: We performed a cross-sectional study in three groups of patients: DACC (making use of oral corticosteroids), DACO (which makes use of omalizumab) and GC (healthy controls of similar age). The evaluation was made by testing six-minute walk. Sit-ups test, static balance with the pressure platform, monosynaptics reflexes (patellar and Achilles) and quadriceps strength of the dominant leg.
Results: Asthmatic patients have reduced functional capacity, seen testing the six minute walk test and sit-ups (p <0.05), and patients who use oral corticosteroids showed a reduction in the strength of the quadriceps compared to control (p <0.05).
- © 2011 ERS