title: Impact of montelukast on symptoms in mild-to-moderate persistent asthma and exercise-induced asthma: results of the ASTHMA survey. Adding Singulair Treatment to Handle symptoms in Mild to moderate Asthmatics.
abstract: A nation-wide survey was undertaken in Belgium among general practitioners (GPs) to evaluate the impact of the leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) montelukast on the control of asthma symptoms, after at least 4 weeks of treatment. Patients from 6 years of age were eligible if they were suffering from mild-to-moderate persistent asthma which was still symptomatic despite inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) treatment, or from exercise-induced asthma. Patient general satisfaction was evaluated by recording the willingness to continue the treatment. A total of 1360 GPs took part in the study and more than 11000 patients were included in the survey. Of the included patients, 85% were receiving inhaled corticosteroids, 60% of whom were also on long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA). However, despite the use of daily controller medication, 92% of the patients still reported limitation of activities, 49% difficulties with sleep and 45% early morning awakening due to asthma. Moreover, 78% of the patients used rescue medication more than twice a week. At the end of the survey, 90% of the patients expressed their willingness to continue montelukast therapy. Of the patients having symptoms at the start of the study, 87% reported amelioration in sleep while on montelukast therapy, 80% less frequent early morning awakening, 85% better ability to perform daily activities and 77% decreased need for rescue medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Free University of Brussels, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. hugues.malonne@ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malonne
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lachman
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van den Brande
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003625:Data Collection; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013440:Sulfides
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C093875:montelukast