Patients with bronchiectasis judge nebulised hypertonic saline as very useful

In addition to common inhaled bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, nebulised antibiotics - e.g. colistine - and chest physiotherapy are an integral part of the complex therapeutic regimen for this severe lung disease. Currently, treatment with nebulised hypertonic saline (HS) is becoming more accepted as a mucolytic treatment.

Altogether more than 35% of the patients use hypertonic saline as part of their treatment plan. It was rated as very beneficial: nebulised hypertonic saline therapy received  the highest score for perceived usefulness. These results were reason enough for the physicians’ clear conclusion to support the wide application of HS in this disease.

Bronchiectasis patients suffer from pathological enlargement of the conducting airways (bronchi). Leading symptoms of this severe disease are coughing and large sputum volumes. Possible complications are pneumonia or hemoptysis.

About 36% of the bronchiectasis patients had nebulised hypertonic saline on their treatment schedule

Nebulised hypertonic saline (HS) was judged as especially useful by bronchiectasis patients.

Source: Woolnough et al. (2010) Poster P585 on the annual congress of the European Respiratory Society in Barcelona