Montelukast as monotherapy in children with mild persistent asthma.
The cysteinyl leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction, increased mucus production and airway inflammation, three major features of asthma. Several randomized controlled trials have shown the efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonists for improving asthma outcomes. The drug is favored for treating childhood asthma, where poor compliance with inhalation therapy is a therapeutic challenge. To assess the effectiveness of Montelukast in asthmatic children under real-life conditions, a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, open-label observational study was performed on asthmatic children 2- to 14-years-old with a history of physician-diagnosed mild persistent asthma. Montelukast was given once daily for 12 consecutive weeks. By the end a significant improvement of the daytime asthma symptom score, nighttime asthma score, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and mean score of the investigators' global evaluation was noted (p < 0.05). These results suggest that montelukast is an effective monotherapy controller in children with mild persistent asthma.
Department of Pediatrics, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan. gwan1998@gmail.com
Wei-Fong
WF
Wu
Jiunn-Ren
JR
Wu
Zen-Kong
ZK
Dai
Chin-Wen
CW
Tsai
Tzu-Chun
TC
Tsai
Chia-Chun
CC
Chen
Chueh-Yuan
CY
Yang
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013440:Sulfides; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000085:Acetates; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C093875:montelukast