Nebulized fluticasone propionate vs. budesonide as adjunctive treatment in children with asthma exacerbation.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of nebulized fluticasone propionate (FP) and nebulized budesonide (BUD) in addition to inhaled salbutamol in children with mild asthma exacerbation.


METHODS
The study was a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, parallel group design. One hundred and sixty-eight children, aged 4-15 years, were randomly allocated to receive either nebulized FP (250 mcg) or nebulized BUD (500 mcg) twice daily for 10 days. On presentation, at the end of treatment, and after a 7-day follow-up, clinical assessment and pulmonary function measurements were performed. Daytime and nighttime asthma symptom scores, the use of rescue salbutamol, and morning/evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) values were recorded at home during the treatment period. Morning cortisol concentration (51 children) and overnight urinary cortisol excretion (30 children) were also measured in six centers at the start and at the end of the treatment.


RESULTS
Improvement of morning PEF was significantly higher in patients treated with FP (p=0.032). The percentage of symptom-free nights was significantly higher in the BUD group (p=0.006), but no difference was found in symptom-free days. No intergroup difference was detected in the percentage of days/nights free from rescue medication and in pulmonary function tests performed in outpatient settings. There was no evidence of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression.


CONCLUSIONS
A short course of nebulized FP has the same effects as a double dose of nebulized BUD, when either drug is added to bronchodilator therapy in children with mild asthma exacerbation
De  Benedictis
Fernando Maria
FM
Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Perugia, Italy. debenedictis@ao-salesi.marche.it
Del Giudice
Michele Miraglia
MM
Vetrella
Mario
M
Tressanti
Flaviana
F
Tronci
Alessandro
A
Testi
Renato
R
Dasic
Gorana
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D000068298:Fluticasone