Short-term effects of budesonide, nedocromil sodium and salmeterol on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in childhood asthma

Abstract

Background: The effects of budesonide, nedocromil sodium and salmeterol on bronchial hyperresponsiveness were determined over a period of 3 weeks.

Methods: Forty-three asymptomatic children (22 male, 21 female, aged 7-17 years) with mild-to-moderate asthma were evaluated. The study was placebo-controlled and double-blind. At the beginning the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was measured and a methacholine challenge was performed to determine PC20 (provocative concentration of inhaled methacholine required to reduce FEV1 by 20%). The patients in group I (n = 12), group II (n = 10), group III (n = 11), and group IV (n = 10) inhaled 200 micrograms of budesonide, 2 mg of nedocromil sodium, 25 micrograms of salmeterol and a placebo, respectively, twice a day over the period of 3 weeks. Then the methacholine PC20 values of all patients were measured again and the results were compared statistically with their previous values.

Results: The statistical data revealed that the methacholine doses in PC20 before and after treatment were different in group I (P < 0.01). However, these differences were not statistically significant in the other groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: The short term usage of budesonide decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness, but nedocromil sodium and salmeterol in the given dises do not affect bronchial hyperresponsiveness.