The efficacy of bronchodilatators on respiratory functions undergoing dental treatment in asthmatic children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dental treatments on respiratory functions in moderate asthmatic children in comparison to healthy controls as well as to determine the need for bronchodilatator treatment before dental procedures.


METHODS
Twenty-six children with moderate asthma aged between 7-14 years who had peak expiratory flowmeter (PEF) values above 80% were selected for the study group. Control group consisted of 28 healthy children of the same age group. Before dental procedures, patients' dental anxiety levels were scored with Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale. The asthmatic group had their dental treatments in 2 sessions. At the first appointment, they were treated without administering a bronchodilatator therapy. After 2 weeks, at the second appointment the children administered bronchodilatator therapy before their dental treatments. PEF values were recorded in both asthmatic groups and in control group prior to, just after and 30 min after dental therapy.


RESULTS
PEF values in asthmatic patients recorded just after dental treatment were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). When we compared the asthmatic groups who received and who did not receive bronchodilatator treatment, a statistically significant difference was found between PEF values before, just after and 30 min after dental treatment in who didn't receive bronchodilatator treatment (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of bronchodilatator treatment as a premedication before dental procedures may be useful in asthmatic patients.
Gülen
F
F
Division of Allergy and Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey. fgulen@med.ege.edu.tr
Kocatas
N E
NE
Cogulu
D
D
Eronat
N
N
Can
D
D
Tanaç
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents