[The effect of a high-altitude climate on the function of the respiratory system in children with asthma]

In 108 asthmatic children (age 6-15 years) an effect of the 6-8 weeks stay in the High Tatra mountains (Children's Lung Institute, Dolný Smokovec) on lung function was studied in the years of 1985-1988. The patients consisted of groups followed-up in different periods of the latter years. Indications for the stay was airway obstruction (a.o.) in symptom-free period or bronchial hyperreactivity (b.h.) before starting the stay. The effect of climate on a.o. and b.h. was assessed from the parameters, measured from maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. Mean MEFV curves and their areas were considered as indices of the climate effect on a.o. and b.h. in the studied groups of asthmatics during the stay in the Institute. B.h. was assessed according to the induced a.o. after 5 min. free running outdoors. Mean MEFV curves and their areas did not differ significantly at the start and end of the stay in this high mountains climate. However, the MEFV curves significantly differed after the induced a.o. by 5 min. free running at the start and end of this climate therapy. The descendent parts and areas under the curves were reduced much less after the induced a.o. during and the end of stay than at the start of stay. They proved a decrease of bronchial hyperreactivity in all studied groups of asthmatics in the climate of High Tatra. The degree of bronchial hyperreactivity, tested as a magnitude of a.o. following 5 min. free running outdoors, on the basis of parameters from MEFV curves, appeared as an objective measure of climate therapy effect on lung function in our asthmatic children.