An update on oscillometry in asthma

TY - JOUR

T1 - An update on oscillometry in asthma

AU - Menzella, Francesco

AU - Chan, Rory

AU - Lombardi, Carlo

AU - Berti, Alvise

AU - Cottini, Marcello

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

PY - 2025/7/1

Y1 - 2025/7/1

N2 - Introduction: Notwithstanding considerable progress in asthma management, a significant proportion of patients continue to demonstrate suboptimal control. Research has identified small airways dysfunction (SAD) as a critical site for airflow limitation and an independent risk factor of exacerbations, with airway oscillometry (AO) playing a pivotal role in this field. Areas covered: Spirometry is widely accepted as the gold standard for evaluating respiratory function. However, it is primarily sensitive to large airway obstruction… AO has emerged as a valuable tool for quantifying SAD, and recent studies have established strong correlations between AO, advanced imaging techniques and type 2 biomarkers. We conducted a review of the English-language literature from the beginning of the databases reviewed through June 2025. Expert opinion: In recent years, a substantial body of literature has emerged, leading to a resurgence of interest in the role of AO in asthma management. It is recommended that AO be utilized as a primary diagnostic tool for the early detection of SAD, even when spirometric values are within normal limits. The identification of patients with asthma in accordance with the criteria of defined severe SAD-oscillometry signifies the culmination of the evolution of AO from a research tool to a clinical tool.

AB - Introduction: Notwithstanding considerable progress in asthma management, a significant proportion of patients continue to demonstrate suboptimal control. Research has identified small airways dysfunction (SAD) as a critical site for airflow limitation and an independent risk factor of exacerbations, with airway oscillometry (AO) playing a pivotal role in this field. Areas covered: Spirometry is widely accepted as the gold standard for evaluating respiratory function. However, it is primarily sensitive to large airway obstruction… AO has emerged as a valuable tool for quantifying SAD, and recent studies have established strong correlations between AO, advanced imaging techniques and type 2 biomarkers. We conducted a review of the English-language literature from the beginning of the databases reviewed through June 2025. Expert opinion: In recent years, a substantial body of literature has emerged, leading to a resurgence of interest in the role of AO in asthma management. It is recommended that AO be utilized as a primary diagnostic tool for the early detection of SAD, even when spirometric values are within normal limits. The identification of patients with asthma in accordance with the criteria of defined severe SAD-oscillometry signifies the culmination of the evolution of AO from a research tool to a clinical tool.

KW - biologics

KW - FOT

KW - IOS

KW - oscillometry

KW - Severe asthma

KW - small airways dysfunction

KW - spirometry

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009478589

U2 - 10.1080/17476348.2025.2526774

DO - 10.1080/17476348.2025.2526774

M3 - Review article

C2 - 40576552

AN - SCOPUS:105009478589

SN - 1747-6348

JO - Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

JF - Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

ER -