Clinicopathological Studies of Bronchial Asthma : 1.Clinical Studies in Cases of Deaths from Asthma

Abstract

Clinical findings in 27 autopsy cases of bronchial asthma and 4 cases changed into emphysema were investigated. The causes of death in patients with bronchial asthma were classified into 3 groups: the 1st group consisted of 19 cases of death during attack (suffocation 12, accident 3, complication 4), the 2nd group 18 cases died without paroxysm, the 3rd group 4 cases changed asthma for emphysema. The mean survival age was 47.2 years, and the average period from onset of illness to death was 19.1 years. The servival age and the period from the onset of illness to death were shortened in the cases of suffocation, accident and severe paroxysmal type. Emphysema, allergic disease, and respiratory infection were sometimes complicated. The causes of fetal asthma attack were infection, unappropriate hyposensitization therapy and reduction of removal of corticosteroids. Death due to suffocation is of two ways. The one occurred after prolonged status asthmatics in 5 cases, and the other occurred suddenly in 7 cases. In clinical examination the lung function and urinary 17 OHCS excretion showed to decrease, but electroncardiogram during period without paroxysm did not show cor pulmonale. Steriod hormone were administrated in 23 of 27 cases. Eleven cases of severe chronic asthma depending on steroid hormones were defined intractable asthma.