Skip to main content

Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with Changes in Airflow over Time.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Tang, M; Elicker, BM; Henry, T; Gierada, DS; Schiebler, ML; Huang, BK; Peters, MC; Castro, M; Hoffman, EA; Fain, SB; Ash, SY; Choi, J ...
Published in: Am J Respir Crit Care Med
May 1, 2022

Rationale: Cross-sectional analysis of mucus plugs in computed tomography (CT) lung scans in the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP)-3 showed a high mucus plug phenotype. Objectives: To determine if mucus plugs are a persistent asthma phenotype and if changes in mucus plugs over time associate with changes in lung function. Methods: In a longitudinal analysis of baseline and Year 3 CT lung scans in SARP-3 participants, radiologists generated mucus plug scores to assess mucus plug persistence over time. Changes in mucus plug score were analyzed in relation to changes in lung function and CT air trapping measures. Measurements and Main Results: In 164 participants, the mean (range) mucus plug score was similar at baseline and Year 3 (3.4 [0-20] vs. 3.8 [0-20]). Participants and bronchopulmonary segments with a baseline plug were more likely to have plugs at Year 3 than those without baseline plugs (risk ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-4.1; P < 0.001; and risk ratio, 5.0; 95% CI, 4.5-5.6; P < 0.001, respectively). The change in mucus plug score from baseline to Year 3 was significantly negatively correlated with change in FEV1% predicted (rp = -0.35; P < 0.001) and with changes in CT air trapping measures (all P values < 0.05). Conclusions: Mucus plugs identify a persistent asthma phenotype, and susceptibility to mucus plugs occurs at the subject and the bronchopulmonary segment level. The association between change in mucus plug score and change in airflow over time supports a causal role for mucus plugs in mechanisms of airflow obstruction in asthma.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Am J Respir Crit Care Med

DOI

EISSN

1535-4970

Publication Date

May 1, 2022

Volume

205

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1036 / 1045

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Respiratory System
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Mucus
  • Lung
  • Humans
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Asthma
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 3201 Cardiovascular medicine and haematology
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Tang, M., Elicker, B. M., Henry, T., Gierada, D. S., Schiebler, M. L., Huang, B. K., … Dunican, E. M. (2022). Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with Changes in Airflow over Time. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 205(9), 1036–1045. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202110-2265OC
Tang, Monica, Brett M. Elicker, Travis Henry, David S. Gierada, Mark L. Schiebler, Brendan K. Huang, Michael C. Peters, et al. “Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with Changes in Airflow over Time.Am J Respir Crit Care Med 205, no. 9 (May 1, 2022): 1036–45. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202110-2265OC.
Tang M, Elicker BM, Henry T, Gierada DS, Schiebler ML, Huang BK, et al. Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with Changes in Airflow over Time. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 May 1;205(9):1036–45.
Tang, Monica, et al. “Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with Changes in Airflow over Time.Am J Respir Crit Care Med, vol. 205, no. 9, May 2022, pp. 1036–45. Pubmed, doi:10.1164/rccm.202110-2265OC.
Tang M, Elicker BM, Henry T, Gierada DS, Schiebler ML, Huang BK, Peters MC, Castro M, Hoffman EA, Fain SB, Ash SY, Choi J, Hall C, Phillips BR, Mauger DT, Denlinger LC, Jarjour NN, Israel E, Phipatanakul W, Levy BD, Wenzel SE, Bleecker ER, Woodruff PG, Fahy JV, Dunican EM. Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with Changes in Airflow over Time. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 May 1;205(9):1036–1045.

Published In

Am J Respir Crit Care Med

DOI

EISSN

1535-4970

Publication Date

May 1, 2022

Volume

205

Issue

9

Start / End Page

1036 / 1045

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Respiratory System
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Mucus
  • Lung
  • Humans
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Asthma
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 3201 Cardiovascular medicine and haematology
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences