[Inhaled corticosteroids and wheezing post-bronchiolitis].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether inhaled corticosteroid therapy given for 3 months after mild bronchiolitis decreases the incidence and/or severity of wheezing in the following 12 months.

DESIGN:

Multicentric, single-blind, controlled, randomised intervention study.

SETTING:

Primary Health Care Centers in Lezo, Beraun, Andoain and Irún (Gipuzkoa, Spain).

PATIENTS:

Infants less than 12 months old (n = 94) diagnosed with mild bronchiolitis.

INTERVENTION:

We established two groups of patients: group 1 (n = 47) was treated with inhaled beclomethasone (250 pg/12 hours) using a valved holding chamber (Babyhaler); the treatment started eight days after diagnosis of bronchiolitis and lasted 3 months. Group 2 (n = 47) received no treatment. We compared the number of wheezing episodes and their severity during the intervention period (3 months) and the follow-up period (12 months) with the Students t-test and the Chi-squared test.

RESULTS:

We studied 89 infants (group 1, n = 42; group 2, n = 47), 67% of whom wheezed during the study period (15 months). There were no significant differences between the treatment and the control group in the study periods.

CONCLUSIONS:

Inhaled beclomethasone given for 3 months does not significantly modify the occurrence of wheezing episodes during the treatment period or during the following 12 months.

• Authors: M Callén Blecua, P Aizpurua Galdeano, I Ozcoidi Erro, L Mancisidor Aguinagalde, C Guedea Adiego, E Busselo Ortega, I Ibarrondo Uriarte
• Journal: Anales espanoles de pediatria (An Esp Pediatr) Vol. 52 Issue 4 Pg. 351-5 (Apr 2000) ISSN: 0302-4342 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Glucocorticoides inhalados y sibilancias posbronquiolitis.
• PMID: 11203411 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Beclomethasone

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Beclomethasone (administration & dosage)
• Bronchiolitis (drug therapy)
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Respiratory Sounds (drug effects)
• Single-Blind Method