[Inhaled corticosteroids and wheezing post-bronchiolitis].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether inhaled corticosteroid therapy given for 3 months after mild bronchiolitis decreases the incidence and/or severity of wheezing in the following 12 months.


METHODS
Multicentric, single-blind, controlled, randomised intervention study.


METHODS
Primary Health Care Centers in Lezo, Beraun, Andoain and Irún (Gipuzkoa, Spain).


METHODS
Infants less than 12 months old (n = 94) diagnosed with mild bronchiolitis.


METHODS
We established two groups of patients: group 1 (n = 47) was treated with inhaled beclomethasone (250 pg/12 hours) using a valved holding chamber (Babyhaler); the treatment started eight days after diagnosis of bronchiolitis and lasted 3 months. Group 2 (n = 47) received no treatment. We compared the number of wheezing episodes and their severity during the intervention period (3 months) and the follow-up period (12 months) with the Students t-test and the Chi-squared test.


RESULTS
We studied 89 infants (group 1, n = 42; group 2, n = 47), 67% of whom wheezed during the study period (15 months). There were no significant differences between the treatment and the control group in the study periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhaled beclomethasone given for 3 months does not significantly modify the occurrence of wheezing episodes during the treatment period or during the following 12 months.
Callén Blecua
M
M
CAP de Amara Centro, Beraun, Andoain e Irún.
Aizpurua Galdeano
P
P
Ozcoidi Erro
I
I
Mancisidor Aguinagalde
L
L
Guedea Adiego
C
C
Busselo Ortega
E
E
Ibarrondo Uriarte
I
I
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000187:drug effects*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001507:Beclomethasone
Glucocorticoides inhalados y sibilancias posbronquiolitis.