Worsened FEV1, increased nocturnal awakenings, rescue medication use, and daytime symptoms
MONDAY, Nov. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs by patients with extrinsic asthma may worsen their asthma control, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held from Nov. 3 to 8 in Boston.
Safa Nsouli, M.D., from the Danville Asthma and Allergy Clinic in California, examined whether use of statins worsened asthma control. A total of 20 patients with extrinsic asthma (group A), who were prescribed statin drugs for lowering cholesterol, were compared with 20 control patients with asthma who did not receive statins (group B). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), asthma exacerbation rates, beta agonist use, nocturnal awakenings, and daytime symptoms were measured at baseline and at three, six, and 12 months.
The investigators found that FEV1 worsened significantly in group A at three, six, and 12 months, in contrast to no change in group B. Compared to group B, more frequent use of rescue medication (albuterol inhaler), increased nocturnal awakenings, and increased daytime asthma symptoms were observed in group A.
"Treatment with cholesterol lowering statin drugs may worsen asthma control in mild persistent asthmatics," the authors write.
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