[Use of beta-agonist inhalation concomitantly with regular beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with bronchial asthma--as required or on a regular basis].
We investigated whether regular use of beta-agonist inhalation concomitantly with regular beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) inhalation is necessary in chronic bronchial asthma. Twenty chronic asthmatic patients who were stable on regular BDP and beta-agonist inhalation were studied. After a 2 week observation period, the patients were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received BDP 400 micrograms/day (2 puffs 4 times) and beta-agonist inhalation as required for 4 weeks. This period was followed by 4 weeks of treatment with BDP 400 micrograms/day and regular beta-agonist inhalation. The other group received these treatments in the reverse order. No significant differences among the two groups were observed in attack score, ADL score, sleep score, and %PEFR. In addition, no differences were detected in these parameters between the periods of regular use of beta-agonist and the periods of use as required. The frequency of inhalation of beta-agonist during the use as required period correlated with the sleep score and difference in %PEFR between morning and night, and was significantly lower than the frequency of inhalation during the period of regular. From these results, we conclude that inhalation of beta-agonist on a regular basis is not necessary to achieve the same degree of relief of symptoms as treatment with beta 2-agonist and BDP inhalation on regular basis in patients with chronic asthma.
Ishihara
K
K
Department of Respiratory Disease, Kobe City General Hospital.
Sakamoto
H
H
Tomioka
H
H
Hasegawa
T
T
Okazaki
M
M
Katakami
N
N
Iwasaki
H
H
Umeda
B
B
Nakai
H
H
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
D000336:Aerosols; D001507:Beclomethasone