Phenotypical spectrum of outpatient asthmatics

The phenotypical spectrum of asthma patients presenting to our outpatient clinic was investigated using the SARP (Severe Asthma Research Program) phenotype algorithm. 248 asthma patients were categorized under five phenotypic groups according to the three variables(pre-bronchodilator FEV1 value, post-bronchodilator FEV1 value, age of asthma onset) of the SARP algorithm. Group1 was comprised of patients with early age onset and a short duration of asthma with pulmonary function tests (PFT) within normal limits, while patients in Group2 had an early onset of atopic asthma with PFT values slightly lower than Group1. Group3 consisted of patients who were elder and obese patients with late onset and a short duration of asthma with slightly low PFT values. Group4 was comprised of patients with long duration of asthma with low PFT values. Finally, Group5 consisted of patients who were elder, obese, long duration of asthma patients with the lowest PFT values. Of the 248 asthma patients, 73% were female and 27% were male. Group2 was the most crowded group (n=72). Rhinitis was most frequently accompanied in Group2 (p=0.033) Hypertension was most frequently encountered in Group 3 (p=0.0001) and was thought to be associated with age. Reflux was most frequently seen in Group5 (p=0.006) and was thought to cause uncontrolled asthma. The pre and post-bronchodilator FEV1 values were both low in Group5 which was consistent with fixed airway obstruction within this group of patients. TotalIgE levels were within normal limits in all five groups although higher levels were recorded for Groups2 and 5. As a result, we can conclude that phenotypical classification of patients with the three variables of the SARP algorithm is beneficial in classifying asthma patients presenting to our outpatient clinic.