Which finding is commonly associated with asthma?

The presence of epithelial cell clusters is commonly associated with asthma due to the phenomenon known as airway remodeling and hyperreactivity that occurs in asthmatic patients. In asthma, the epithelium of the airways often undergoes changes that can result in the formation of clusters of epithelial cells. These clusters may arise due to increased cell proliferation and altered cell differentiation in response to inflammatory signals.

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airway, which can lead to various structural changes, including the recruitment of inflammatory cells and alterations in epithelial architecture. The clustering of epithelial cells is indicative of these changes and reflects the underlying pathophysiology involved in asthma, contributing to airway hyperresponsiveness and obstruction.

While thickened epithelial basement membrane, increased vascularity, and subepithelial fibrosis can also be present in the context of asthma, they are not as directly indicative of the typical histological changes associated with the condition when compared to the presence of epithelial cell clusters, which more specifically reflect the reactive nature of the airway epithelium in response to chronic inflammation.