We have assessed the physical and dynamic characteristics of 23 home jet nebulizer/compressor combinations currently available in the UK and Europe. The combinations were evaluated in terms of pressure-flow characteristics, aerosol mass distribution, volume output, electrical costs, and sound level. In addition, we determined the effect of nebulizer fill volume on aerosol mass distribution and ...

BACKGROUND Controversy remains regarding the effectiveness of bronchodilators in wheezy infants. AIMS To assess the effect of inhaled beta(2) agonists on lung function in infants with malacia or recurrent wheeze, and to determine whether a negative effect of beta(2) agonists on forced expiratory flow (V'(maxFRC)) is more pronounced in infants with airway malacia, compared to infants with whee...

We report 3 patients (26, 31, and 33 years) who worked at the same fish farm for several years. They experienced symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma while classifying fish by size. Their asthma gradually worsened to the extent that it became persistent and required daily medication with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Symptoms improved during weekends and holidays....

A possible association between the use of β-agonists and mortality from asthma was postulated for the first time during the so-called epidemic of asthma deaths, which was observed in England and Wales in the 1960s [1]. With reference to this epidemic, INMAN and ADELSTEIN [2] reported a rise and fall of asthma mortality paralleling an increase and decrease, respectively, in the use of pressurize...

Although the method of exposure was different, the absence of reaction to the gaseous Freons suggests that they were not the component responsible for the reactions to the aerosol propellant. The only other agents to which exposure may have occurred were the aluminium can and a range of extractives from rubber components of the metering valve. There is no direct evidence that the asthmatic reac...

The past 15 years have seen a rise in mortality and morbidity resulting from asthma, despite a concurrent rise in general knowledge about the disease. The step-care strategy recognized these changes in its approach to asthma management; however, this approach should be used only with attempts to control environmental allergens. Step-care therapy requires that patients be categorized by the seve...

Paediatric asthma best practice not only includes prescribing the correct therapeutic mix based on consensus guidelines, but also reducing therapy once control has been achieved. Clinicians should also be aware that asthma in young children is a heterogeneous entity, and a beneficial response to bronchodilators and/or inhaled steroids is not inevitable. In general, preschool children and infant...

Acute severe asthma is one of the most common medical emergency situations in childhood, and physicians caring for acutely ill children are regularly faced with this condition. In this article we present a summary of the pathophysiology as well as guidelines for the treatment of acute severe asthma in children. The cornerstones of the management of acute asthma in children are rapid administrat...

BACKGROUND A study was undertaken to assess whether the therapeutic aspects of published international asthma management guidelines are practically applicable in developing countries. METHODS Questionnaires were sent to expatriate doctors working in developing countries. RESULTS Forty one replies were received from 24 countries in Africa and Asia. Oral salbutamol was prescribed "usually" or...

S t u d y s e l e c t i o n Studies were selected if they were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of oral mucolytic drugs taken regularly for ≥ 2 months by adults who were > 20 years of age and had chronic bronchitis or COPD. Studies on inhaled mucolytic drugs, combinations of mucolytic drugs with antibiotics or bronchodilators, deoxyribonucleases, and such proteases as trypsin...