Survey of physicians’ attitudes toward the use of magnesium sulfate for acute asthma exacerbations in Turkey

Abstract

Background: Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) is considered to be a well-tolerated, inexpensive, and effective medication for severe asthma exacerbations. We surveyed physicians who treat patients with asthma to evaluate the current knowledge and usage of MgSO₄. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and was distributed to participants of its annual congress. Results: Of the 456 respondents (mean age: 36.53 ± 9.11 years), 42.3% reported to use MgSO₄ in asthma exacerbations in their practice, and 48.7% agreed that MgSO₄ was included in asthma guidelines. The best known indication was that it was useful only in patients refractory to bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids (67.7%). The two most common reasons to use MgSO₄ were to shorten hospital stay (94.7%), and prevent admission to intensive care unit (80.3%). The respondents mostly used MgSO₄ in the treatment of severe or life-threatening exacerbations. Thirty-nine percent believed that MgSO₄ had no effect on discharge period, and 29% of them marked minor side effects. The most common reason for not using MgSO₄ was inexperience (36.5%). Having an academic affiliation (OR = 3.20, p < 0.001), the number of asthmatic outpatients seen per month (OR = 1.82, p = 0.007), and more recent graduation from medical school (≤1991) (OR = 0.23, p < 0.001) were associated with the use of MgSO₄ in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Even though the effect of MgSO₄ in acute severe asthma is well known, only half of the physicians dealing with asthma patients have used it in their practice. Education and encouragement in this regard are necessary.

• Asthma
• exacerbation
• asthma exacerbation
• magnesium

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the physicians who participated in this study. We also would like to thank The Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology for their support and Veli Sipahi, secretary of The Society, for his help in the distribution and collection of the questionnaires.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.