Prevalence of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in poorly controlled asthma--results from the ALA-ACRC low-dose theophylline trial.

Author(s): Eden E, Holbrook JT, Brantly ML, Turino GM, Wise RA

Affiliation(s): Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospitals, Columbia University, New York, New York 10025, USA. ee5@columbia.edu

Publication date & source: 2007-10, J Asthma., 44(8):605-8.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

In a study comparing low-dose theophylline to montelukast in poorly controlled asthmatics, 285 subjects consented to be screened for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Of the 284 for which complete data was available, 10.5% carried a deficiency gene and 2.4% were mildly deficient with an alpha-1 antitrypsin serum level of less than 20 mu M. In the non-African-American cohort, an abnormal phenotype occurred in 12% and 2.9% were mildly deficient. Baseline pulmonary function and asthma scores were not significantly different between those with normal and abnormal AAT phenotype. However those with the deficiency tended to show a greater bronchodilator response.