Prevalence of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in poorly controlled asthma - Results from the ALA-ACRC low-dose theophylline trial

In a study comparing low-dose theophylline to montelukast in poorly controlled asthmatics, 285 subjects consented to be screened for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Of the 284 for which complete data was available, 10.5% carried a deficiency gene and 2.4% were mildly deficient with an alpha-1 antitrypsin serum level of less than 20 mu M. In the non-African-American cohort, an abnormal phenotype occurred in 12% and 2.9% were mildly deficient. Baseline pulmonary function and asthma scores were not significantly different between those with normal and abnormal AAT phenotype. However those with the deficiency tended to show a greater bronchodilator response.