RECENT MANAGEMENT OF
ASTHMA
Said M.
New Children’s Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt
Objective: Confusion over the use of drugs for mild
persistent asthma can lead to poor compliance. The present treatment of
asthma is based on guidelines from the British Thoracic Society; inhaled ß2 agonists are widely regarded as the treatment for
mild asthma. In this study, the role of inhaled corticosteroids are studied
and discussed for the treatment of mild persistent asthma.
Methods: Fifty children aged between 7-11 years old, from
the same community, well known as having mild persistent asthma were chosen
for this study. They were divided into two equal groups, group (A) using
inhaled ß2 agonists and group (B) using inhaled
corticosteroids, in proper doses using a metered-dose inhaler, for the
control of their mild persistent asthma. All the patients in group (A&
B) were followed up for one year by monitoring their lung functions (PEFR
and FEV1) and for their clinical signs and symptoms of asthma.
Results: The results of our study concluded that there are
statistically significant difference (P< 0.001 ) between the two groups
(B & A) for the decline of mild persistent asthma symptoms and signs
and the improvement of their
lung function tests.
Conclusion: The enormous benefits of treatment
with inhaled corticosteroids in mild persistent asthma are agreed upon and
encouraging. Earlier intervention with inhaled corticosteroids prevent the
progressive decline in the lung functions. The recommended use of short acting
inhaled ß2 agonists is
acknowledged only for symptoms relief,“ as required ”