Prophylactic inhaled steroids in childhood asthma

Prophylactic inhaled steroids are effective in both improving clinical parameters peak flow rates in children with asthma.

A systematic review including 24 placebo-controlled RCTs with a total of 1087 children aged 0 - 18 years was abstracted in DARE.

The overall weighted relative improvement in mean (RIM) total symptom score (15 trials) was 50% (95% CI 49% to 51%). Overall weighted RIM cough score (16 trials) was 24% (95% CI 23% to 25%). Overall weighted RIM wheeze score was 36% (95% CI 35% to 37%). Overall weighted relative decrease in mean beta-agonist use (14 trials) was 37% (95% CI 36% to 38%). Overall weighted absolute improvement in PEF rate was 11% predicted value (95% CI 9.5 to 12.5). There was no statistically significant difference in hospital admissions between steroid and placebo groups. All reported adverse effects were minor.

Ədəbiyyat

1. Calpin C, Macarthur C, Stephens D, Feldman W, Parkin PC. Effectiveness of prophylactic inhaled steroids in childhood asthma: a systemic review of the literature. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997 Oct;100(4):452-7.