Abstract
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is currently defined as an increase in sensitivity to a wide variety of airway narrowing stimuli and has long been recognized as a hallmark of chronic asthma. However, in addition to asthma, BHR also occurs with other respiratory diseases.
BHR is not only a pathophysiological phenomenon in the theoretical sense of the word but also a practical characteristic that can be tested and used to direct differential diagnosis or to monitor the long-term course of the disease. BHR is now often measured by inhalation provocation challenges, which can be very useful in the diagnosis process as well as in treatment monitoring.
Bronchial inhalation challenges have provided valuable insight into the pathogenesis and treatment. The book is intended for medical professionals interested in respiratory medicine regardless of specialization.
Therefore a team of authors intentionally consists of pneumologists, allergologists, pediatricians, pathophysiologists and a mathematician who specializes in medical statistics. In 22 chapters, authors provide interdisciplinary points of view for a more comprehensive characterisation of the BHR phenomenon, especially with respect to clinical practice.
In addition to the theoretical chapters, the text is focused on various methodological aspects of bronchial challenge testing.