Mönkäre S
Eur J Respir Dis. 1983 May;64(4):283-93.
In this prospective study of farmer's lung disease 93 patients were subjected to a follow-up period of an average of 18.6 months. The patients were initially divided into three groups, each receiving corticosteroids either for four weeks, twelve weeks, or not at all, if the disease was less severe. Lung function, clinical findings and chest radiography were recorded at intervals of one, three, six and 12 months and every six months after that. Corticosteroid treatment seemed to have no marked influence on the course of lung function or the prognosis of working capacity. Twelve-week treatment did not produce better results than four-week. However, corticosteroids diminished the appearance of fibrotic changes in chest radiograms. It is concluded that corticosteroids should be given to severely ill patients to ameliorate symptoms, but no apparent benefit is derived from long-term treatment. Eighty-five per cent of patients continued farming and cattle-feeding after recovery. The severity of the initial attack and the occurrence of relapses were found to be the most important factors influencing respiratory performance, subjective symptoms and working capacity in patients with farmer's lung.
在这项关于农民肺疾病的前瞻性研究中，93例患者接受了平均18.6个月的随访。患者最初被分为三组，病情较轻的患者分别接受为期四周、十二周的皮质类固醇治疗或根本不接受治疗。在1个月、3个月、6个月和12个月时以及之后每6个月记录一次肺功能、临床症状和胸部X光片。皮质类固醇治疗似乎对肺功能进程或工作能力预后没有显著影响。十二周的治疗效果并不比四周的治疗效果好。然而，皮质类固醇减少了胸部X光片中纤维化改变的出现。得出的结论是，应给予重症患者皮质类固醇以缓解症状，但长期治疗并无明显益处。85%的患者康复后继续从事农业和饲养牲畜工作。发现初次发作的严重程度和复发情况是影响农民肺患者呼吸功能、主观症状和工作能力的最重要因素。
