No abstract

Ulmer u. a.: Untersuchungen zur Ursache der Atemwegsobseruktion und des überenipfindlichen Bronchialsystems

The efficacy and safety of almitrine bismesylate, a new respiratory stimulant, in patients with the hypoxaemic form of chronic respiratory insufficiency caused by chronic bronchitis and emphysema has been assessed. The multicentre trial of 12 weeks duration was double-blind and placebo controlled, with individual and group comparisons. Twenty three patients received almitrine 50 mg b.d. p.o. and 17 took placebo. In the almitrine group a significant increase in PaO2 was achieved (control value 54.4 mm Hg, rising to 59.1 mm Hg after 6 weeks, and to 59.4 mm Hg after 12 weeks). There was also a significant decrease in PaCO2 in the almitrine group after 12 weeks. No correlation was found between the plasma almitrine concentration, PaO2 and PaCO2. Lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, Raw, TLC, RV, FRC) did not change in either group, but the degree of dyspnoea and performance in the 6 min walking test were significantly improved in the almitrine group. Adverse reactions appeared in 6 out of 23 patients on almitrine bismesylate (headache, urticaria, breathlessness, diarrhoea, chest pain, nausea and vomiting), causing drop out of 4 patients. Thus, almitrine bismesylate can be considered useful in the treatment of patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency.

No abstract

We report a survey of the impact of asthma on daily life and on health-care resource use by adult asthma patients in four counties in Croatia. Over a 1-year period beginning November 1998, 185 general practitioners recruited 504 asthma patients, who completed a questionnaire about their drug therapy, health-care resource use, symptoms, limitations in daily activities, and work loss due to asthma. Over a 2-week period, inhaled corticosteroids were used by 51.5% of patients, short-acting and long-acting beta-agonists by 70.8% and 53.5%, respectively, and oral extended-release theophyllines by 29.8%. Nocturnal awakenings were experienced by 58.7% of patients, 75.5% experienced daytime symptoms, and 42.5% were limited in their daily activities. In the previous year, 12.5% of the patients were hospitalized, 33% missed work, and 70% reported reduced effectiveness in the workplace. In the previous 6 months, 35.2% of the patients visited an emergency room due to worsening of asthma symptoms. The human and socioeconomic burden of asthma in Croatia is considerable. These results can help guide the development of asthma policy in Croatia and raise awareness of asthma as a public health issue.