Real-life effectiveness of Singulair (montelukast) in 506 children with mild to moderate asthma.
BACKGROUND
Based on the outcome of several randomized controlled trials, the orally active leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast (Singulair, Merck) has been licensed for treatment of asthma. The drug is favored for treating childhood asthma, where a therapeutic challenge has arisen due to poor compliance with inhalation therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficiency of and satisfaction with Singulair in asthmatic children under real-life conditions.


METHODS
Montelukast was prescribed for 6 weeks to a cohort of 506 children aged 2 to 18 years with mild to moderate persistent asthma, who were enrolled by 200 primary care pediatricians countrywide. Four clinical correlates of childhood asthma--wheeze, cough, difficulty in breathing, night awakening--were evaluated from patients' diary cards.


RESULTS
Due to under-treatment by their physicians, almost 60% of the children were not receiving controller therapy at baseline. By the end of the study, which consisted of montelukast treatment, a significant improvement over baseline was noted in asthma symptoms and severity, as well as in treatment compliance. The participating pediatricians and parents were highly satisfied with the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this extensive study show that the use of montelukast as monotherapy in children presenting with persistent asthma resulted in a highly satisfactory outcome for themselves, their parents and their physicians.
Department of Pediatrics, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel. amirav@012.net.il
Israel
I
Amirav
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013440:Sulfides; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C093875:montelukast