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Home nebulizers in severe chronic asthma
British Journal of Diseases of the Chest
|October 1, 1984
Summary
Adding nebulized terbutaline significantly improved asthma symptoms and lung function in severe chronic asthma patients already on standard treatments. A monitored trial is recommended before long-term home nebulizer use.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Severe chronic asthma often persists despite standard inhaled therapies, including beta-agonists and corticosteroids.
- Many patients with severe asthma require long-term oral corticosteroids, indicating significant disease burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of adding nebulized terbutaline to existing asthma treatment regimens.
- To assess the impact on asthma symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
Main Methods:
- A 2-month open-label study involving 24 outpatients with severe chronic asthma.
- Patients received standard treatment for 1 month, followed by 1 month with the addition of 5 mg terbutaline via nebulizer twice daily.
- Symptom scores and pre-bronchodilator PEFR were compared between the two periods.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in nocturnal asthma symptoms (30%), daytime wheeze (23%), and shortness of breath (15%).
- Pre-bronchodilator morning PEFR increased by 8% and evening PEFR by 10%.
- No decline in response to inhaled terbutaline was noted after 4 weeks of nebulizer treatment in a subset of patients.
Conclusions:
- Home nebulization of terbutaline offers considerable overall improvement for severe chronic asthma patients.
- Individual responses vary, suggesting a monitored trial is advisable before initiating long-term home nebulizer therapy.