Mineral water inhalations for bronchial asthma: a meta-analysis

Bronchial asthma affects millions globally, with inhalation therapies being a common treatment approach. Prior research has shown that various inhalation methods are used to manage symptoms, but the effectiveness of mineral water inhalations remains unclear. This gap motivated a comprehensive review of existing clinical data to clarify the potential benefits of this treatment. While some studies suggest mineral water inhalations may improve lung function, others report conflicting results. No prior work had resolved whether these inhalations consistently benefit asthma patients. The need for a systematic synthesis of evidence is clear, given the variability in study outcomes. This uncertainty drives the need for a meta-analysis to assess overall effectiveness. The current lack of consensus highlights the importance of evaluating all available randomized clinical studies. Aggregating data from multiple sources can help determine if mineral water inhalations are a reliable asthma treatment.

The study aimed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of mineral water inhalations in managing bronchial asthma. It focused on whether this treatment improves lung function and reduces symptoms in asthma patients. The research sought to address conflicting evidence by analyzing data from randomized clinical trials. The primary goal was to determine if mineral water inhalations lead to measurable improvements in FEV1 and symptom frequency. The study also aimed to assess whether these benefits are consistent across different asthma severity levels. By synthesizing data from multiple sources, the researchers hoped to clarify the treatment's potential role in asthma management. The motivation for this study stems from the need to guide clinical decisions with reliable evidence. The findings could inform treatment protocols for asthma patients worldwide.

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis following the PRISMA strategy to evaluate clinical studies on mineral water inhalations. They searched databases like PubMed, EMBASE, and ELibrary for relevant randomized clinical trials published between 1986 and July 2021. The analysis included 14 studies covering 525 patients with bronchial asthma. The team used a random effects model to calculate standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. They assessed FEV1 values and symptom frequency in the treatment and control groups. The study focused on comparing outcomes between patients receiving mineral water inhalations and those in control groups. Heterogeneity of results was evaluated using Q statistics and I2 values. The inclusion criteria ensured only randomized controlled trials were considered.

The meta-analysis found that mineral water inhalations improved FEV1 in asthma patients compared to control groups. The standardized mean difference for FEV1 (%) was 8.2 (95% CI: 5.87–10.59). For FEV1 in liters, the difference was 0.69 (95% CI: -0.33–1.05). Patients with mild, moderate, and hormone-dependent asthma showed reduced symptom frequency and intensity. The analysis included 14 studies, two of which were randomized controlled trials. The results suggest a positive effect of mineral water inhalations on asthma progression. However, significant heterogeneity was observed across studies (I2 = 69.13%). The Q statistic was 124.96 (p < 0.0001), indicating variability in study outcomes. Despite this, the overall trend supports the potential benefit of this treatment.

The authors suggest that mineral water inhalations may improve lung function in patients with bronchial asthma. The meta-analysis indicates a positive effect on FEV1 and symptom frequency. The findings support the potential use of this treatment in asthma management. However, the significant heterogeneity among studies suggests variability in effectiveness. The authors propose that further research is needed to clarify these differences. They emphasize the importance of controlled clinical trials in confirming these results. The study does not claim that mineral water inhalations are essential for asthma treatment. Instead, it highlights the need for more consistent evidence to guide clinical practice.