title: Salmeterol versus sodium cromoglycate for the protection of exercise induced asthma in children--a randomised cross-over study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity is an important and frequent trigger of airways obstruction in asthmatic children. We aimed to compare the efficacies of 50 microg salmeterol twice daily and 2 mg SCG four times daily with respect to protection from exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty seven children and adolescents aged 4 to 16 years with mild or moderate exercise induced asthma (FEV1 70% to 90% predicted) were admitted to the study. Exercise challenge was performed on a treadmill using a predefined protocol in order to produce 10 minutes of exercise at near-maximum targets. The trial had a randomised, cross-over design comprising a 3-day run-in period and two 7-day treatment periods, separated by a one-week washout period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean protective efficacy of salmeterol was larger than that of SCG. A difference between treatments of 39.7% (95% CI, - 0,8 to 68.9%) in favour of salmeterol was calculated using a Hodges-Lehmann-estimate. The maximum post-challenge fall in FEV subset 1 was significantly lower (p<0.001) after salmeterol than after SCG (- 5.6 +/- 6.4% vs. -12.1 +/- 9.3%, respectively). In addition, salmeterol improved base-line lung function to a greater degree than SCG. FEV1 increased by 0.4 l/sec after salmeterol, whereas no improvement was observed after SCG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A one-week treatment with salmeterol 50 microg b.i.d in asthmatic children and adolescents provided better protection against EIB and improved baseline lung function as compared to SCG four times daily.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Loschgestr. 15, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. trzimmer@kinder.imed.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Theodor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulyas
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steinkamp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trautmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000420:Albuterol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D000420:Albuterol