Nebulizer versus Inhaler with Spacer for Beta-Agonist Treatment in Acute Bronchospastic Disease

Abstract

Objectives To compare the efficacy of nebulized wet aerosol with metered-dose inhaler with a spacer (MDIS) in the management of acute bronchospasm. Methods It was a retrospective study by reviewing the clinical records of patients with acute exacerbation (chief complaint of shortness of breath) of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Tuen Mun Hospital from 1st to 30th November 2002 and 2003 respectively. All patients received beta-agonist by nebulizer, in the year 2002 (pre-SARS period) while all patients received treatment by MDIS in the year 2003 (post-SARS period). Treatment outcome measures included admission rate, length of hospitalisation for those admitted and AED re-attendance within 7 days for those discharged from the AED. Results Altogether 821 patients were recruited in this retrospective study, 522 belonged to the nebulizer group and 299 were of the MDIS group. The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. Concerning the admission rate (47% in the nebulizer group and 41% in the MDIS group; p=0.089) and re-attendance rate (7% in the nebulizer group and 6% in the MDIS group; p=0.607), the differences were not statistically significant. For the length of hospital stay, it was shorter in the nebulizer group than the MDIS group (3.65±SD 1.88 days vs 4.10±SD 1.94 days; p=0.035). However, the admission rate in the adult subgroup (61% in the nebulizer group and 47% in the MDIS group; p=0.002) was shown to be statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, usage of nebulizer, increase in respiratory rate and age were associated with a higher admission rate. Increase in SpO2, absence of co-morbidity and asthma patients were associated with a lower admission rate. Increase in age, respiratory rate and usage of MDIS were associated with an increase in hospital stay. Asthma was associated with a decrease in AED re-attendance rate as compared to COPD. Conclusions This retrospective study showed that both nebulizer and MDIS were effective for beta-agonist therapy in acute bronchospasm in AED with respect to hospital admission rate and AED re-attendance rate, but the length of hospital stay was slightly prolonged when using MDIS.