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Meta-Analysis
. 2008 Apr 16;2008(2):CD005536.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005536.pub2.

Commercial versus home-made spacers in delivering bronchodilator therapy for acute therapy in children

C Rodriguez  1 , M Sossa, J M Lozano
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Commercial versus home-made spacers in delivering bronchodilator therapy for acute therapy in children

C Rodriguez et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Strong evidence supports the use of metered-dose inhalers combined with a spacer for delivering rapid-acting inhaled beta-2 agonists in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma in children. The high cost and lack of availability of commercially produced spacers however, have limited their use in developing countries.

Objectives: The aim of this review was to compare the response to inhaled beta-2 agonists delivered through metered-dose inhaler using home-made spacers, to the use of commercially produced spacers, in children with acute exacerbations of wheezing or asthma.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2007,(up to August 2007) MEDLINE , EMBASE, CINHAL, LILACS and reference lists of included studies. We contacted authors and known experts in the field, and approached pharmaceutical companies that manufacture inhalation spacers to identify additional published or unpublished data. No language restrictions were applied.

Selection criteria: Trials comparing treatment with rapid acting beta 2-agonists delivered though MDI attached to home-made spacers, with the same bronchodilator therapy delivered with MDI and commercially produced spacers, in children under 18 years with acute exacerbations of wheezing or asthma.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently extracted the data and assessed trial quality. Missing data were obtained from the authors or estimated from information available in published reports.

Main results: Six trials with 658 participants met the inclusion criteria . At the time of this report, five trials were published in full text, and one study was available in abstract form only. No significant differences were demonstrated between the two delivery methods in terms of need for hospital admission (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.59), change in oxygen saturation (SMD -0.03, 95% CI -0.39 to 0.33), PEFR (SMD 0.04, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.80), clinical score (WMD 0.00, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.37), in terms of need for additional treatment (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.65), or regarding change in heart rate per minute (SMD 0.09, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.42).

Authors' conclusions: Overall, this review supports did not identify a difference between these two methods for delivering bronchodilator therapy to children with acute asthma or lower airways obstruction attacks. Care should be taken in the interpretation and applicability of our results because of the small number of RCTs along with few events available meeting the criteria for inclusion in the review, absence of the primary outcome of interest and other clinically important outcomes in the majority of included studies. The possible need for a face-mask in younger children using home-made spacers should also be considered in practice.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial interest in any of the devices used to deliver beta‐2‐agonists in acute asthma and no involvement with the primary studies.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Home‐made spacers versus commercial spacers, Outcome 1 Hospital admission.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Home‐made spacers versus commercial spacers, Outcome 2 O2 saturation (SaO2).
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 Home‐made spacers versus commercial spacers, Outcome 3 Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 Home‐made spacers versus commercial spacers, Outcome 4 Clinical score.
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 Home‐made spacers versus commercial spacers, Outcome 5 Heart rate per minute (HR).
1.6
1.6. Analysis
Comparison 1 Home‐made spacers versus commercial spacers, Outcome 6 Need for additional treatment.
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