The effect of challenge method on methacholine-induced changes in sensitivity and air trapping

Summary Background The methacholine challenge test performed with the tidal breathing method induces a greater fall in FEV 1 than the dosimeter method; however, the effect of the challenge method on methacholine-induced fall in FVC has not been investigated. Objective To determine the influence of the challenge method on methacholine-induced changes in FEV 1 and FVC. Methods Airway responsiveness to methacholine was determined by dosimeter method and tidal breathing method in 37 subjects with suspected asthma. The dosimeter was modified to deliver an identical volume to that obtained with the tidal breathing method and the same nebulizer model was used for the two challenges. The response w…