Effect of domiciliary treatment with nebulized beta 2-stimulants--a retrospective follow-up of 102 patients.

A retrospective follow-up of 102 patients with beta 2-stimulant nebulizers prescribed for domiciliary use was made to find out the extent to which the device was actually used, the effect on the need for hospital care and steroid treatment and the cause and place of death in relation to all asthma deaths. Of 53 patients seen in their homes, more than half used the nebulizer continuously. Two patients returned their nebulizers due to improvement of symptoms. A slight but not statistically significant reduction of hospital care was seen during a two-year period after the prescription compared to before. Patients with hypersecretion as the main problem seemed to benefit more by the treatment than obstructive patients. Asthma deaths outside hospital were not more frequent in patients with a nebulizer (84 per cent) than without (75 per cent). In two patients out of six dying from status asthmaticus outside the hospital, it could not be ruled out that the patient had relied too long on the bronchodilating effect of the nebulized beta 2-stimulant instead of coming to the hospital for additional treatment for the oedema and plugging. More information to patients about this risk is necessary.