Reducing the frequency of respiratory tract infections in severe neurological disorders by inhaled antibiotics: a retrospective data analysis
Abstract
In patients with severe neurological impairment, recurrent respiratory tract infections frequently occur as a result of impaired clearance of airway secretions and microbial airway colonisation. We hypothesised that inhaled antibiotic therapy may improve the morbidity of these patients. A retrospective data analysis of 20 patients (11 nontracheotomised and nine tracheotomised) with neurological impairment and microbial airway colonisation was carried out at a children's university hospital. Two questionnaires that asked about the number of respiratory tract infections, antibiotic therapies and hospitalisations were distributed to the patients/caregivers: a first questionnaire representing the 12 months prior to the initiation of inhaled antibiotics and a second questionnaire describing the first 12 months under therapy. During the first 12 months of therapy, the frequency of respiratory tract infections among all participants was reduced from a mean of 6.8 episodes (median (interquartile range (IQR)) 6.0 (4.0-10.0) episodes) to a mean of 2.5 episodes (median (IQR) 2.0 (1.0-3.0) episodes; p<0.001). In addition, a significant decrease of systemic antibiotic therapies (mean 7.7, median (IQR) 6.0 (4.0-10.0) versus 2.5, 2.5 (0.0-3.7...Continue Reading
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ERS International Congress, Madrid, 2019: highlights from the Sleep and Clinical Physiology Assembly
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