[Factors responsible for the course and long-term outcomes of bronchial asthma: chemotherapy]

In a 10-year retrospective observational study the authors investigated the effects of antiinflammatory therapy with corticosteroids (CS), broncholytic therapy with theophylline drugs (TD) and of inhalations of short-action sympathomimetics (ISM) on the course and long-terms outcomes of bronchial asthma (BA). The data were processed using actuarial analysis. It was established that long-term CS therapy diminishes the risk of the unfavourable BA outcome (death, life-threatening conditions, invalidism). The protective CS action was maximal in patients with severe persistent BA. The best treatment results were achieved in long-term CS course in doses warranting effective control over respiratory symptoms. Long-term TD administration failed to demonstrate a significant influence on long-term BA outcomes. Overdoses of ISM occasionally observed in the course of relevant treatment placed the exposed patients at higher risk of unfavourable BA outcome. ISM overdoses were associated with severe and uncontrollable BA.