title: [Application of asthma predictive index-based group therapy in wheezing children under 5 years of age].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the application value of asthma predictive index (API)-based group therapy in wheezing children under 5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 239 wheezing children under 5 years of age were divided into API-positive (n=126) and API-negative groups (n=113). Each group was randomly assigned to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) subgroup and montelukast sodium (leukotriene receptor antagonist, LTRA) subgroup. The ICS and LTRA subgroups received the same drug therapy at the same dosage within the first four weeks of treatment. In the stable period of disease, the ICS subgroup only received aerosol inhalation of budesonide suspension, while the LTRA group was orally given montelukast sodium only. Asthma symptom scores were assessed and recorded at different time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first four weeks of treatment, ICS and LTRA were effective both in the API-positive and API-negative groups; the two groups showed significant improvements in asthma symptom scores, and the asthma symptom score showed no significant difference between the ICS and LTRA subgroups of each group. After 24 weeks of treatment, the two therapies were still effective; in the API-positive group, the LTRA subgroup had a better treatment outcome than the ICS subgroup, but there was no significant difference in treatment outcome between the LTRA and ICS subgroups of the API-negative group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For wheezing children under 5 years of age, therapeutic strategies can be chosen based on API in the stable period of disease, so as to better control wheezing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China. clf530417@126.com.
authors.forename: Ya-Qin
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lan-Fang
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists