Tale of Two Winter Respiratory Illnesses

Interestingly, recent data have come out suggesting racial differences in response to both glucocorticoids and to inhaled albuterol.

One study, for example, found that black asthmatics required greater concentrations of glucocorticoid in vitro to suppress T-lympocyte activation (Chest 2005;127:571–8), while another found significant differences in bronchodilator response between Puerto Rican and Mexican asthmatic subjects, based on pharmacogenetic differences (Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care. Med. 2005;171:535–6).

More studies are necessary so we can begin to incorporate these avenues of research into clinical practice.