Samenvatting
This thesis discusses findings regarding the treatment of (ex )smoker asthmatics and the role of the small airways in their dyspnea sensation. Additionally, we evaluated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in subjects without asthma and a negative response to a direct provocative agent. This thesis ends with the generation of normal reference equations for an adjusted pulmonary function test parameter (the forced expiratory flows (FEFs) adjusted with the forced vital capacity (FVC)) and an assessment of the clinical applicability of the obtained parameter. To sum up the findings, the treatment of asthma in (ex )smoker asthmatics with extrafine particle treatment turned out to be just as effective as a larger-sized treatment. The dyspnea sensation in (ex )smoker asthmatics was associated more with small compared to large airways dysfunction. AHR occurs in a subset of subjects without asthma, when provoked with an indirect provocative agent and is associated with current smoking and a higher daily cigarette consumption. Finally, normal reference equations for the adjusted FEFs were presented, however, clear clinical applicability in asthma seemed absent.
Originele taal-2 | English |
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Kwalificatie | Doctor of Philosophy |
Toekennende instantie |
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Begeleider(s)/adviseur |
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Datum van toekenning | 6-sep.-2023 |
Plaats van publicatie | [Groningen] |
Uitgever | |
DOI's | |
Status | Published - 2023 |