Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of inhaled magnesium sulfate as a supplemental treatment in control of acute exacerbation of asthma in adults not responding to traditional treatment in the first hour. Patients who failed to respond to conventional measures randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group 1: In which patients received two doses of nebulized 300 mg MgSO4 /10 minutes apart & Group 2 (control group): in which patients received nebulized combination of (2.5 mg) salbutamol plus (250µg) ipratropium bromide up to two doses over one hour. Magnesium sulfate group showed better improvements than control group. The variables mostly predict SaO2 pre-post change. The only predictor variable was group (inhaled magnesium sulfate versus control); inhaled magnesium sulfate was associated with 1.9 greater change in SaO2 compared to control group (when all other variables were constant). Other variables were potential confounders but were not statistically significant. Inhaled MgSo4 to the traditional treatment (B2 agonist in combination with hydrocortisone) showed a better improvement in PEFR and SaO2 without recorded side effects compared to traditional treatment in control group. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) improves significantly the respiratory function of patients not responding to traditional treatment.

Key words: Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), bronchial asthma, B2 agonist in combination