Action mechanisms of complex spa therapy on steroid-dependent asthma

Effects of complex spa therapy, which comprises swimming training in a hot spring pool, inhalation of iodine salt solution and fango therapy, were analyzed in patients with steroid-dependent intractable asthma (SDIA) by comparison between the subjects with and without efficacy of the therapy. 1. The complex spa therapy was effective in the patients with lower levels of FEV(1.0%) and % PEFR. 2. The complex spa therapy was not always effective in the patients with a low value of % V(25), which represents depressed airflow in the small airways. 3. The efficacy of the complex spa therapy was found in the patients showing a low value of % V(25) accompanied by BAL neutrophilia, but not found in those without increased proportion (more than 10% ) of neutrophils in BAL fluid. The results reveal that the complex spa therapy is effective in patients with SDIA showing low values of FEV(1.0%) and % PEFR, and in those with a low value of % V(25) and BAL neutrophilia.

ステロイド依存性重症難治性喘息を対象に,温泉プール水泳訓練,ヨードゾル吸入療法.鉱泥湿布療法からなる複合温泉療法の臨床効果の解析を行った。1.複合温泉療法は,FEV(1.0%)および% PEFR値の低い症例により有効であった｡2.複合温泉療法は､細気管支領域の換気障害を示すと考えられる% V(25)値が低い症例に対して,必ずしも有効ではなかった｡3.複合温泉療法の効果は,BAL液中好中球増多(10%以上)が見られ､かつ% V(25)値が低い症例により有効であったが､同様に% V(25)値が低くても,BAL液中に好中球増多 が見られない症例に対しては,有効ではなかった｡以上の結果より,複合温泉療法はFEV(1.0%)や% PEFR値の低く,またBAL液中好中球増多が見られ,かつ% V(25)値が低いようなステロイド依存性重症難治性喘息に対して有効性が高いことが示唆された。