[Simultaneous treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children with a nasally inhaled glucocorticosteroid].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a nasally inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) through a spacer with mask aiming at simultaneous treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children and make an analysis on the costs.


METHODS
A total of 72 children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma were randomized into two groups. Experimental group received budesonide inhaler (400 microg/d) through the nose using a spacer attached to a face mask, control group children orally inhaled budesonide dry powder (400 microg/d) plus a nasal spray of budesonide aquae (256 microg/d).


RESULTS
The patients were observed for 12 weeks. The symptom scores of rhinitis of both experimental group and control group declined (F=6.529 and 7.014, all P<0.01), symptom scores of asthma in both group were also reduced (F=4.132 and 4.950, P<0.01). The pulmonary function PEF (L/min) in both groups continuously increased (F=2.750 and 3.282, P<0.05). But the clinical scores, PEF value and FEV1 all did not differ between the two groups at admission or at nearly all follow-up visits (P>0.05 for all). The proportion of dry nose was lower in experimental group than in the control group (5.6% vs. 19.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The cost in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal inhalation of ICS provides a therapeutic strategy for controlling AR and asthma in children, especially it result in higher compliance, lower costs, and fewer side effects.
Sun
Li-Hong
LH
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Chen
Ai-Huan
AH
Wu
Jie-Ling
JL
Lin
Jun-Hong
JH
Xiao
Xue-Kui
XK
Yu
Ying-Hua
YH
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005938:Glucocorticoids