title: Comparison of long term treatment of asthmatic children with hyposensitization, ACTH, DSCG and Ketotifen.
abstract: The authors treated 228 asthmatic children during a period of 3 years using a randomised scheme. After a short eliminatory trial the choice of preventive treatment was selected randomly using the patient's registration number. Four groups were formed: Hyposensitization, ACTH, DSCG and Ketotifen (Zaditen). Two thirds of the patients ameliorated in each group. According to the subjective opinion of the parents, 30-33% of the patients became symptomfree on each regimen. This figure was 50% in the hyposensitization and ACTH groups (13%). Serious asthma cases with more than 10 attacks in a year improved, mainly after DSCG or Ketotifen (Zaditen) therapy. The evaluation according to a symptom score and pulmonary function test shows definite amelioration in the groups chemoprophylactic drugs. After a change from the original therapy because of a failure, ACTH and Zaditen were the most successful second drug.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D007665:Ketotifen