[Pharmacological prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm: review of the literature and trial of disodium cromoglycate, fenoterol and ipratropium bromide in a pediatric population]

Abstract

Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is an instrumentally-measurable paraphysiologic phenomenon, related to bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatic children. Therefore EIB is very useful to evaluate airways hyperreactivity and pharmacological treatment in asthmatic child. We have evaluate EIB inhibition and bronchodilator effect of three drugs: Disodiumcromoglycate (DSCG), Fenoterol (F), Ipratropium Bromide (IB), in a group of 27 asymptomatic and therapy-free asthmatic children. The bronchial provocation test was performed by physical exercise (free-running for six minutes) according to criteria stated by Paediatric Bronchopneumology Group of S.I.P. Therefore we have analysed the most recent studies to correlate our results with other's data: our study confirm DSCG and Beta-adrenergic drugs effectiveness; theophylline has a similar validity, but is less useful in clinical practice; anticholinergic drugs and corticosteroids seem less valid; the new drugs (Ketotifen, alpha-blockers and calcium antagonists) need further controlled studies.