Clinical effects of mucolytics associated with bronchodilators in treating exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in coal miners.

Treatments combining acetylcysteine by mouth and beta 2-agonists aerosols were given to 293 coal-miners or ex-coal miners suffering from chronic bronchitis presenting an acute phase of their illness and complaining of an increased sputum production. None of them related complaints nor showed objective signs of atopy. From the whole group, 41 cases carefully followed during periods of time varying from 17-26 days having taken in this period a regular treatment combining both types of drugs. This group could be compared to another group comprising 37 cases receiving only acetylcysteine. In both groups the author observed a general tendency to a better pourability after treatment than before. This resulted in an increase of the sputum production without concomitant increased cough. These facts were associated with an improvement in the auscultatory findings. It is not possible to ascertain whether these results were due to acetylcysteine alone. Indeed all patients received during different periods of time other drugs in combination, in particular antimicrobial substances. When comparing answers concerning the opinion on general respiratory improvement, there was no significant difference between both groups.