Clinical evaluation of response to long-term treatment with Pranlukast in patients with bronchial asthma.
BACKGROUND
Short-term treatment with pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, has shown to be effective for the management of asthma. The effectiveness and safety of long-term treatment with pranlukast remains to be established.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pranlukast on morning peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs), the diurnal variation of these values, and disease severity.


METHODS
Fifteen men with bronchial asthma were studied for 5 years. During the first year, the subjects were treated with a bronchodilator; some also received inhaled and oral corticosteroids. During the next 4 years, the subjects received pranlukast in addition.


RESULTS
Mean PEFR increased after the start of treatment with pranlukast. The increase in PEFR occurred later in subjects with more severe disease. Diurnal variation of PEFR was unchanged, but subsequently decreased. The condition of all subjects improved, but the greatest improvement was obtained in patients with mild to moderate asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term treatment with pranlukast is effective for the management of bronchial asthma, particularly in patients with mild to moderate disease. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of antiasthmatic drugs should be evaluated over a period of years, rather than on a short-term basis.
Niitsuma
T
T
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. t-niitsu@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Izawa
J
J
Maruoka
N
N
Nukaga
M
M
Tsuji
A
A
Okita
M
M
Sakurai
K
K
Morita
S
S
Tsuyuguchi
M
M
Matsumura
Y
Y
Hayashi
T
T
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002867:Chromones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D002867:Chromones; C047681:pranlukast