Standards established by consensus for the treatment of bronchial asthma and its exacerbations

A group of pulmonologists from different sites of Argentina convened to establish consensus guidelines for treatment of acute and chronic bronchial asthma. General acceptance that in fatal asthma diagnosis and hospital admission are usually too late and treatment insufficient prompted the need for this meeting. The purpose of treatment was devised to keep the patient symptomless, decrease frequency of exacerbations and the risk of severe attacks. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement in all patients was decided. inhalation of anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids, CE, and/or disodium cromoglycate, DSG, in those younger than 20 years) was established as first line of treatment. Inhaled CE (even in high doses such as 2 mg/day) do not provoke significant adverse systemic effects (immune depression, Cushing syndrome, hyperglycemia in diabetics or osteopenia). Secondary local adverse effects are however frequent: oral and pharyngeal candidiasis and dysphonia. It is advisable considering present evidence, that bronchodilators (Bd) be used preferentially on demand. On account of small bronchodilator effect and frequent secondary adverse effects, use of theophylline should be limited to patients not adequately responsive to anti-inflammatory drugs in high dosage. Immunotherapy is not useful in asthma. Four clinical levels were defined in chronic asthma considering severity of dyspnea, frequency of nocturnal bronchial obstruction, levels of PEFR and amount of required Bd. Guidelines of treatment were established for each clinical level considering increasing dosage of CGS, inhaled CE (up to 2 mg/day) and regular administration of Bd. Indications for systemic CE administration were also established. Three levels of acute asthma (sudden worsening of symptoms) were accepted based on clinical evidence and PEFR values. Treatment was quantitatively adjusted to severity. Criteria for hospital admission either in emergency or intensive care areas and treatment procedures were established.