EFFECTS OF EARLY INSTITUTIONAL THERAPY ON BRONCHIAL HYPERSENSITIVITY IN SEVERE ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

Abstract

We compared examination data collected from asthmatic children at admission and just prior to discharge from hospital. Subjects were divided into two groups. Group I had first experienced perennial symptoms within 2 years prior to the hospitalization. Group II had been experiencing perennial symptoms for more than three years. We examined patient profiles, medication, lung function, bronchilal hypersensitivity, and exericise ability.Our results showed no differences in patinet profiles, medication, bronchial hypersensitivity, and exercise ability at the time of admission between the two groups. However, lung function was significantly lower in group II than in group I. At the time of discharge, medication in both groups was reduced or discontinued, but there was no improvement in group II examination data. Values for FEV1.0, PEFR, V50, V25 and acetylcholine threshold remained lower than for group I.In conclusion, bronchial hypersensitivity of severe asthmatic children experiencing late institutional therapy was not improved even if symptoms became stable. It was not clear whether bronchial hypersensitivity improved as clinical symptoms improved.We wish to stress the importance of teaching allergen avoidance and physical training. Also we strongly recommend institutional therapy for severe asthmatic patients.