The use of induced sputum to evaluate inflammation of the airways in patients with asthma <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: To describe the utility and safety of induced sputum, discussing the advantages and importance of this technique on asthma clinical research.
Source of data: Pubmed data base (from 1985 to 2005).
Summary of the finding: The identification of bronchial mucosa inflammatory pattern by induced sputum analysis has been helpful since the last decade on the diagnosis and better comprehension of asthma. It is an accurate, safe and non-invasive technique, even in children. The success of the test depends on staff qualification and adequate method validation. The control of sputum eosinophil counts helps to predict corticosteroid response and withdraw. It also contributes to the diagnosis of occupational asthma. Noneosinophilic asthma phenotypes were also identified. Epidemiologic studies using induced sputum might, in the future, find a relation between distinct risk factors and inflammatory features.
Conclusions: Induced sputum allows the analysis of lower airways inflammatory features in a non-invasive procedure that has been widely used over the last decade. It has been proved a safe, accurate and viable method, even in children. Studies analyzing the association between asthma epidemiology and bronchial inflammatory features may lead to a better understanding of the disease.
KEY WORDS: SPUTUM; INFLAMMATION; ASTHMA.