[Comparative evaluation of various methods of immunosuppressive therapy in severe bronchial asthma]

Altogether 216 patients with grave infection-dependent (49.5%) and autoimmune (50.5%) bronchial asthma received 311 courses of immunosuppressant therapy, with follow up periods up to 8 years. According to the clinico-immunologic data the patients were distributed into 4 groups. The basic drugs were (1) azathioprin, (2) azathioprin and prednisolone, (3) prednisolone, (4) delagil combined with heparin and epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Evaluation of the sort-term results of the treatment showed that the highest percentage of a clinical remission was attained with basic therapy including azathioprin combined with delagil and heparin. The immunosuppressants produced side effects in 14.2-31.3% of patients. These effects (dyspepsia, cytopenia, allergy) were of transitory nature. The long-term results were worse as compared with the short-term ones. The lethality for the whole group of patients amounted to 10.1%. It was caused by the status asthmaticus and cardiopulmonary insufficiency. Indications and contraindications for use of immunosuppressant therapy are provided.