Clinical efficacy of short-term treatment with extra-fine HFA beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with post-infectious persistent cough.
Post-infectious persistent cough may be caused by an underlying inflammation in the airways. Due to its antiinflammatory properties, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may be a rational therapeutic approach to reduce cough symptoms. In this randomized, double-blind study, the efficacy of treatment with inhaled extra-fine HFA beclomethasone diproprionate (HFA-BDP) was compared with placebo in patients with post-infectious persistent cough. A total of 72 patients with persistent cough lasting at least 3 days (max. 14 days) following an acute respiratory tract infection were randomized to treatment with extra-fine HFA-BDP (400 microg twice daily for 7 days followed by 200 microg twice daily for 4 days) or placebo. The efficacy was measured by tussometry. The primary endpoint was defined as a reduction of frequency of cough epochs/h at the end of treatment (Day 11) in relation to the baseline level and in comparison to placebo, calculated as the area under the curve (AUC). The treatment with extra-fine HFA-BDP resulted in a greater reduction of cough frequency in patients with post-infectious persistent cough in comparison to placebo. The AUC from Day 1 to Day 11 for the frequency of cough epochs/h between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm was calculated as 605.8 for HFA-BDP and 847.9 for placebo, respectively (P<0.05). There is evidence that extra-fine HFA-BDP leads to a more rapid reduction of cough frequency at the beginning of treatment. A short-term treatment with extra-fine HFA-BDP could be an effective and well tolerated therapeutic option in the treatment of post-infectious persistent cough.
Gillissen
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A
St. George Medical Center, Robert-Koch-Hospital, Leipzig, Germany. www.rkk-leipzig.de
Richter
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A
Oster
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H
D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011208:Powders; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005466:Fluorocarbons
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D001507:Beclomethasone; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D011208:Powders; C094049:apaflurane; D005466:Fluorocarbons