[Comparative efficacy of oral deflazacort versus oral prednisolone in children with moderate acute asthma].

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of oral deflazacort versus oral prednisolone in acute moderate asthma in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We performed a prospective, randomized, parallel group trial of children aged 6 to 14 years old with a diagnosis of asthma who presented to the pediatric emergency department for moderate asthma exacerbation. All patients were administered short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists. The intervention groups received either oral deflazacort (1.5 mg/kg) or prednisolone (1 mg/kg) for 7 days. The primary outcome measure was forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and secondary outcome measures were pulmonary symptom score index, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), hospitalization rate and the use of rescue beta2-agonists. Patients were evaluated at the start of treatment (visit 1), on day 2 (visit 2) and on day 7 (visit 3).

RESULTS:

Of the 54 children enrolled, two were hospitalized on visit 2 (one from each group). Baseline clinical data were similar in both groups: FEV1: 53 and 51 %; bronchodilator test: 119 and 121 %; PEFR: 169 and 165 L/min; symptom score: 6 and 6.5 for the deflazacort and prednisolone groups, respectively. On visit 2, all measures improved: FEV1: 122.2 and 126.5 % (p < 0.05); PEFR: 164 and 149 L/min (p < 0.05); symptom score: -4.4 and -3.8 (p < 0.05), without significant differences between groups. On visit 3 all variables continued to show improvement: FEV1: 133.2 and 132.5 % (p < 0.05); PEFR: 1115.7 and 187.6 L/min (p < 0.05); symptom score: -5.4 and -5.9 (p < 0.05), without significant differences between groups. No adverse effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

Deflazacort and prednisolone show similar efficacy in improving pulmonary function and in producing clinical improvement in the management of acute moderate asthma in children.

• Authors: S Gartner, N Cobos, E G Pérez-Yarza, A Moreno, C De Frutos, S Liñan, J Mintegui
• Journal: Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) (An Pediatr (Barc)) Vol. 61 Issue 3 Pg. 207-12 (Sep 2004) ISSN: 1695-4033 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Estudio comparativo de la eficacia del deflazacort frente a prednisolona en el tratamiento de la crisis asmática moderada.
• PMID: 15469803 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Pregnenediones
• Prednisolone
• deflazacort

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Asthma (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
• Prednisolone (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Pregnenediones (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome