Addition of salmeterol versus doubling the dose of beclomethasone in children with asthma

AAPH Verberne*, C Frost, EJ Duiverman, MH Grol, KF Kerrebijn, JAM Raaymakers, SJ Pocock, JM Bogaard, Jacobus van Nierop, AF Nagelkerke, B Thio, EEM van Essen-Zandvliet, A Denteneer, J Gerritsen, MJ Grol, JJE Hendriks, JM Kouwenberg, J van der Laag, HJL Brackel, Dutch Paediat Asthma Study Grp

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    193 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Studies in adults revealed that addition of salmeterol to a moderate dose of inhaled corticosteroid resulted in better symptom control and higher PEF compared with doubling the dose of inhaled corticosteroid. The aim of this three group study was to compare the effects of a moderate dose of beclomethasone, the same dose of beclomethasone with salmeterol, and a doubling dose of beclomethasone on lung function and symptoms in children with moderate asthma. A total of 177 children already treated with inhaled corticosteroids, were randomized in a double-blind parallel study either to salmeterol 50 mu g twice daily (BDP400+salm), beclomethasone 200 mu g twice daily (BDP800), or placebo (BDP400) in addition to beclomethasone 200 mu g twice daily. No significant differences between groups were found in FEV1, PD20 methacholine, symptom scores, and exacerbation rates after 1 yr. Salmeterol resulted in slightly better PEF in the first months of treatment. FEV1, and PD,, methacholine significantly improved in all groups. After 1 yr mean changes in FEV,, percent predicted were 4.3% (95% CI 1.3; 7.2), 5.8% (95% CI 2.9; 8.7), and 4.3% (95% CI 2.1; 6.5) for BDP400+salm, BDP800, and BDP400, respectively. Changes in airway responsiveness were 0.60 (95% CI 0.05; 1.14), 1.30 (95% CI 0.73; 1.87), and 0.80 (95% CI 0.33; 1.27) doubling doses. Growth was significantly slower in the BDP800 group. We conclude that no additional benefit was found of adding either salmeterol or more beclomethasone to a daily dose of 400 mu g beclomethasone in this group of children with excellent compliance of medication.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)213-219
    Number of pages7
    JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
    Volume158
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul-1998

    Keywords

    • LONG-TERM TREATMENT
    • INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS
    • LUNG-FUNCTION
    • BRONCHIAL RESPONSIVENESS
    • CHILDHOOD ASTHMA
    • AIRWAY
    • SALBUTAMOL
    • STATEMENT
    • SYMPTOMS
    • GROWTH

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