title: Racemic salbutamol and levosalbutamol in mild persistent asthma: A comparative study of efficacy and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of monotherapy with racemic salbutamol and levosalbutamol on symptoms, quality of life, and pulmonary function has been assessed and compared in mild persistent asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, open, parallel clinical study was conducted on 60 patients of mild persistent asthma. After baseline assessments, salbutamol was prescribed to 30 patients and levosalbutamol to another 30 for 4 weeks. The efficacy variables were change in asthma symptom scoring, pulmonary function test, and Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ) scoring. At follow-up, the patients were re-evaluated and analyzed by statistical tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Shortness of breath (P<0.001), chest tightness (P=0.033), wheeze (P=0.01), cough (P=0.024), and overall asthma symptom score (P<0.001) were significantly decreased in the levosalbutamol group in comparison to the salbutamol group. Results of MiniAQLQ revealed that improvement in symptoms (P=0.018), activity limitations (P=0.03), environmental stimuli (P=0.013)-related scoring and overall MiniAQLQ scoring (P<0.001) was statistically significant in the levosalbutamol group. Percentage reversibility of forced expiratory volume at one second (P=0.034), forced vital capacity (P=0.029), peak expiratory flow rate (P=0.0003) was found to be superior in the levosalbutamol group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levosalbutamol was found to be superior compared to recemic salbutamol in mild persistent asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagunur Road, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rituparna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maiti
authors.forename: Chenimilla Nagender
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Jyothirmai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaida
authors.forename: Sruthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukkisa
authors.forename: Narendar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koyagura
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palani