[Asthma follow-up after treatment of status asthmaticus in ICU Pneumonology Department in Warsaw Medical University].

Asthmatic patients who were treated in ICU because of exacerbation of asthma must be in close contact with doctors. They need steroid therapy, regular PEF measurements and should take part in educational programs for asthmatic. The 87 (60f, 27m) patients after treatment of status asthmaticus in our ICU were answered to the questionnaire about next hospitalisation, factors causing exacerbation, treatment, spacers, electrical nebulizators, PEF-meters and asthma educational program. Eight men (29.6%) and 13 woman (21.6%) needed next hospitalisation. Airway infection, exercise and cool air are the common cause of asthma exacerbation. Oral steroid was used continuously by 44.8% of patients and 68.9% inhaled steroid. Inhaled beta-agonists were taken by 71.2% of patients, oral theophylline by 70.1%, inhaled ipratropium bromide by 26.9%, 11.1% cromolyn and leucotriene receptor antagonists by 16.1%. At home 27.5% of patients have electrical nebulizator and 75.8% spacer. PEF-meters are utilized by 42.5% of patients but they did not use it correctly. A large number of patients (47%) did not take part in educational program for asthmatic patients. Our data show that patients after status asthmaticus in our ICU mainly treat exacerbations but they not prevent asthma attacks.