Alpha₁-antitrypsin deficiency and asthma

PREVIEW

Although alpha₁-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency typically causes emphysema, it also can produce airway obstruction with no evidence of alveolar destruction. Thus, the progressing disease and the growing risk of emphysema may go undiagnosed for years in patients with asthma. In this article, the authors briefly review findings regarding the connection between AAT deficiency and bronchial asthma, and they make recommendations for clinical management.