Comparing the efficacy and influence on the quality of life of three classes of drugs used in bronchial asthma - a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of formoterol, montelukast and acebrophylline when used in combination with budesonide in patients with bronchial asthma and to determine their role in the improvement of the quality of life of patients.


METHODS
A total of 75 patients were divided into 3 groups based on treatment given - formoterol 6 mcg/puff + budesonide 100 mcg/puff combination inhaler, 2 puffs twice daily; oral montelukast 10 mg once daily + budesonide 100 mcg/puff, 2 puffs twice daily and oral acebrophylline 100 mg twice daily + budesonide 100 mcg/puff, 2 puffs twice daily. The patients were followed-up for 4 wk after initiating treatment. Spirometry values - forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), before and after treatment were recorded. The quality of life was assessed before and after treatment using Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Analysis was done using repeated measures ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc test.


RESULTS
As compared to baseline values, FEV1, PEFR and Quality of Life showed significant improvement in all 3 groups after 4 wk of treatment (p-value < 0.01). Three patients in acebrophylline-treated group reported gastric irritation while no adverse effects were reported in the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Formoterol, montelukast or acebrophylline combined with inhaled corticosteroids have similar efficacy in the treatment of asthma.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences , Puducherry, India .
Ajitha
A
Sharma
Professor, Department of Pharmacology, KMC , Manipal, Karnataka, India .
Shalini
S
Adiga
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, KMC , Manipal, Karnataka, India .
Bharti
B
Chogtu
Professor and Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KMC , Manipal, Karnataka, India .
Aswini Kumar
AK
Mohapatra
Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KMC , Manipal, Karnataka, India .
Rahul
R
Magazine
Acebrophylline; Budesonide; Formoterol; Montelukast