Inhaled corticosteroids versus sodium cromoglycate in children and adults with asthma.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are superior to sodium cromyglycate (SCG) on measures of lung function and asthma control for both adults and children with chronic asthma.

A Cochrane review included 17 studies with a total of 1279 children and 321 adults. Among children, ICS were associated with a higher final mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (WMD 0.07 litres, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.11) a higher mean final peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) (WMD 17.3 litres/minute, 95% CI 11.3 to 23.3), fewer exacerbations (WMD -1.18 exacerbations per year, 95% CI -2.15 to - 0.21), lower asthma symptom scores, and less rescue bronchodilator use than SCG. Among adults, ICS were associated with a higher mean final FEV1 (WMD 0.21 litres, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.28) and a higher final PEF (WMD 28.2 litres/minute, 95% CI 18.7 to 37.6), fewer exacerbations (WMD -3.30 exacerbations per year, 95% CI -5.62 to -0.98), and less rescue bronchodilator use than SCG. There were no differences in the proportion of children or adults with adverse effects.

The following decision support rules contain links to this evidence summary:

• Inhaled corticosteroids rather than sodium cromoglycate for asthma

Ədəbiyyat

1. Guevara JP, Ducharme FM, Keren R, Nihtianova S, Zorc J. Inhaled corticosteroids versus sodium cromoglycate in children and adults with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006 Apr 19;(2):CD003558.