The Effect of Atorvastatin on lung function and sputum cell count in Chronic Asthma patients

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with incomplete recovery. Atorvastatin has documented in vitro and vivo anti-inflammatory effect.So effect of atrovastatin in chronic asthma patient was studied in TB and chest department of Tertiary care hospital of central India. Objective : The effect of Atorvastatin on lung function and sputum cell count in chronic Asthma. Material and Methods: In randomized ,parallel ,double blind placebo controlled clinical trial 60 chronic asthma patients who were taking inhaled corticosteroids were to receive either Atrovastatin or placebo for 12 weeks. Pulmonary function test, sputum cell count & lipid profile were done. Result: With Atorvastatin significant improvement in ACQ(asthma control questionnaire), significant decrease in SCC(sputum cell count) & significant reduction in risk of asthma exacerbations after 12 weeks. No significant improvement in all parameters were seen with placebo.It was observed that mean changes in ACQ, SCC were statistically significant p <0.05 in Atorvastatin group as compared to placebo group, but mean changes in FEV1(pre) and FEV1(post),PEFR were not statistically significant at 12 weeks between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Atorvastatin significantly improved asthma control according to asthma control questionnaires & reduced risk of asthma exacerbations correlated with reduction in sputum cell count.