[Clinico-functional effect of a course of interval normobaric hypoxic therapy in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and bronchial asthma].
AIM: To study short- and long-term clinicofunctional effects of primary and secondary courses of interval normobaric hypoxia (INH) in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) and bronchial asthma (BA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group of 45 COB and BA patients were exposed to INH. The control group of 20 COB and BA patients received conventional drugs. The INH patients were examined using the acute hypoxia test, return respiration test, peak-flowmetry, assessment of external respiration function (ERF), immune status, heart rate, blood pressure. Stange test ERF and the disease course within the last 2-3 years were analyzed. RESULTS: INH proved more beneficial for COB and BA patients than the standard drugs. Bronchial obstruction reduced by 10-15%, exercise tolerance, general condition, ventilation, hemodynamic and immunological parameters improved, frequency of bronchopulmonary infection exacerbations dropped 2-fold. CONCLUSION: An INH course is effective in the majority of COB and BA patients. It is recommended for treatment and rehabilitation once or twice a year.