Mucus Overproduction and Decreased Mucociliary Clearance
Can Lead to Mucus Plugs¹

Mucus Plugs Can Be Identified and Quantified Using CT Imaging of the Lungs²

Segments of each lobe are examined for mucus plugs and given a score of 1 (present) or 0 (absent).
Segment scores of each lobe are summed to generate a total mucus score ranging from 0-20.

    High mucus scores (≥4 bronchial subsegments with 1 or more airways completely occluded
    with mucus) were associated with low FEV1 and air trapping in patients with chronic, severe asthma²

Republished with permission of American Society for Clinical Investigation, from Journal of Clinical Investigation, Dunican EM, Mucus plugs in patients with asthma linked
to eosinophilia and airflow obstruction, Vol 128/No. 3, Copyright 2018; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.
CT, computed tomography; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; IL, interleukin.
1. Jesenak M, et al. Respir Med. 2023;218:107372. 2. Dunican EM, et al. J Clin Invest. 2018;128(3):997-1009. 3. Tang M, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022;205(9):1036-1045.
4. Chan R, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023;11(1):195-199.e2.

Mucus Plugging Is a Key Component of Remodeling
in Asthma, Leading to Fixed Airway Obstruction

The SARP-3 Study Showed Persistence of Mucus Plugs
in Asthma Patients Over 3 Years³

Persistent mucus plugs are associated with chronic OCS use
and a greater symptom burden, measured by ACT3³

Presence of Mucus Plugs Is Associated With Worsening Clinical Asthma Outcomes

Republished with permission of American Society for Clinical Investigation, from Journal of Clinical Investigation, Dunican EM, Mucus plugs in patients with asthma linked
to eosinophilia and airflow obstruction, Vol 128/No. 3, Copyright 2018; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.
Reprinted from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tang M, et al, Mucus Plugs Persist in Asthma, and Changes in Mucus Plugs Associate with
Changes in Airflow over Time, Vol 205/Issue 9, Copyright 2022, with permission from the American Thoracic Society.
*Data from 146 of the 658 adult patients with asthma enrolled in SARP. Of those included in SARP (n=658), 66% of patients met American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory
Society criteria for severe asthma. Patients were non-smokers and were required to have evidence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness or reversible airflow obstruction. ACT, Asthma Control Test; FeNO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; OCS, oral corticosteroid; SARP, Severe Asthma Research Program.
1. Jesenak M, et al. Respir Med. 2023;218:107372. 2. Dunican EM, et al. J Clin Invest. 2018;128(3):997-1009. 3. Tang M, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022;205(9):1036-1045.
4. Chan R, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023;11(1):195-199.e2.