Adult asthma in northern Iraq

217 patients attended the out patient department between July 1986-1989 diagnosed to have bronchial asthma depending on clinical history, physical examination and peak flow meter measurement [PEFR]. They included 98 men [45.2%] and 119 women [54.8%]. The age of onset of their first symptoms varied between 13-40 years. The duration of their symptoms ranged between few days to over 20 years. Family history was present in 64 patients [29.5%] and nasal symptoms was present in 60 patients [27.6%%]. The main presenting symptoms were day time and nocturnal dyspnea both indicating moderate to severe air way obstruction with PEFR of 300L/minute or less. The triggering factors precipitating acute attacks in their order of frequency were cigarette smoke, dust, cold weather, respiratory infection and exercise. 106 patients [48.84%] were on no regular medications and only 25 patients [11.5%] were on different types of steroids. Inhalers are underused by our patients. B2 stimulant and steroid inhalers were used in [31.5%] and [3.2%] of our patients respectively

On the side effects of histamine H2 receptor antagonist: cimetidine

Side effects to cimetidine were observed in four out of 420 patients [0.9%]. One patient had transient, reversible and reproducible fever and neutropaenia. Three patients had muscle pains which disappeared with out sequellae though cimetidine was continued. The literature was reviewed. It seems that cimetidine is a safe drug for the treatment of chronic duodenal ulceration