FeNO After Hypoxia in Asthma Patients

Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia on the Asthmatic Inflammation of Asthma Patients - a Pilot Study

Stable Asthma patients (GINA 1-2) stay 6 days in a row for 4 hours per day in a hypoxic chamber simulating 2800m above sea level. Study participants will be blinded to the treatment given and divided into a hypoxic and a sham group (about 360m above sea level).

Effects of this intermittent hypoxia on the asthmatic inflammation of these patients will be measured. The primary endpoint is the change in forced exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) before and after the study. Secondary endpoints include blood parameters, lung function testing and questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria:

• stable Asthma (GINA 1-2)

Exclusion Criteria:

• autoimmune disease
• unstable Asthma (GINA 3-4)
• history of pneumonia/fever within 3 months
• place of residence >1000m above sea level
• trip/vacation above >2500m within 4 weeks
• cystic fibrosis
• diabetes mellitus
• immunodeficiency
• atopic dermatitis
• ciliary dyskinesia
• pregnancy
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• history of smoking (>1py)
• immunosuppression / systemic corticosteroids within 3 months
• cardiovascular diseases
• interstitial lung disease
• bronchopulmonary dysplasia