[The alpine climatotherapy of bronchial asthma patients]

As many as 132 patients with bronchial asthma were examined for the clinical, functional and laboratory parameters before and during alpine climatotherapy at a height of 3200 m above the sea level (the Tyuya-Ashu pass, the northern Tien Shan). In addition to the improvement of the general status, the patients manifested amelioration of ventilation and decreased responsiveness of the bronchial tree by the end of alpine climatotherapy. Favourable alterations in the immune parameters together with appreciable stimulation of steroidogenesis in the adrenals were discovered. Investigation into surface activity of the exhaled air condensate revealed activation of the surfactant system. These data and endoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the reduction of the inflammatory lesions in the tracheobronchial tree. Therefore, alpine climatotherapy produces a favourable effect on the main mechanisms of the disease development and can be used on a wider basis for the treatment of patients suffering from bronchial asthma.