title: [Inhaled corticotherapy sparing effect by sodium nedocromil in moderate to severe asthma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increased use of high dose inhaled steroid in the treatment of asthma has revealed the risk of dose-dependent side effects. Nedocromil sodium is a non steroidal agent with anti-inflammatory properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate whether nedocromil sodium may have some therapeutic benefit in asthmatic patients treated with high dose inhaled steroids and whether it has an inhaled steroid sparing effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  134 adults with moderate to severe asthma not adequately controlled with high dose inhaled steroids (750 to 1,500 micrograms/day).
  
  
  METHODS
  After a two week baseline period, patients were randomized to receive either nedocromil sodium (4 mg qid) or placebo for 24 weeks in a double blind fashion. During the first 12 weeks of treatment, the dose of inhaled steroid was maintained constant whereas it was altered during the last 12 weeks according to asthma scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 108 patients reaching the reduction phase, a decrease of 250 micrograms of inhaled steroid or more was possible in 79% of patients on nedocromil sodium and in 60% of patients on placebo (p < 0.03). Symptoms scores were improved on both treatments during the 12 first weeks, more on nedocromil sodium than on placebo, treatment difference reaching significance for daytime asthma (p < 0.02). FEV1 improved during the trial for patients on nedocromil (from 69 +/- 18% to 74 +/- 21%; p < 0.005) whereas it did not for those on placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nedocromil sodium is effective in improving moderate to severe asthma in addition to inhaled steroid and has some steroid sparing effect in patients treated with high dose inhaled steroid.
authors: Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Murciano
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Braunstein
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Montagut
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pariente
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017835:Nedocromil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D017835:Nedocromil; D001507:Beclomethasone
vernacular_title: Epargne de la corticothérapie inhalée par le nédocromil sodique dans l'asthme modéré à sévère. Groupe Français d'Etude Tilade.