[Efficacy of disodium cromolyn in adult chronic asthma].

Abstract

Disodium cromolyn is effective in preventing asthma, but its steroid sparing effect remains controversial. In this prospective cross-over study, we used two different brands of disodium cromolyn, Intal and Ticromil, each for 4 weeks on 7 adult patients with chronic asthma. The dosage was 20 mg qid via a special inhaler. The whole course of the study was 12 weeks for each patient, including 2 run-in weeks and 2 wash-out weeks. Patients were followed up by the same physician at outpatient clinics every 2 weeks to measure FEV1, FVC, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and reversibility after bronchodilator. The physician also assessed the severity of the patients' symptoms via a special score system. Patients recorded symptom severity and frequency of medications at home on daily diary cards. Patients also measured PEFR twice a day. At the end of the treatment, FEV1 was improved more in Intal group; daily prednisolone dosage was markedly reduced in Ticromil group; PEFR was improved in both group; but neither symptom severity nor airway reversibility was significantly changed. When two groups were calculated as a whole, PEFR increased significantly from 294 +/- 20 l/min to 342 +/- 19 l/min (p = 0.0225). The daily prednisolone dosage reduced from 5.87 +/- 0.91 mg to 3.91 +/- 0.60 mg in the 3rd week and to 4.05 +/- 0.63 mg in the 4th week. The differences between these 2 dosages and the baseline dosage were statistically significant (both p < 0.05). Side effects were minimal in all patients. We concluded that after the use of disodium cromolyn for 4 weeks, PEFR was markedly improved and daily prednisolone dosage was also significantly reduced.

• Authors: T C Lien, J H Wang, L I Ho
• Journal: Zhonghua yi xue za zhi = Chinese medical journal; Free China ed (Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei)) Vol. 52 Issue 1 Pg. 41-7 (Jul 1993) ISSN: 0578-1337 [Print] China (Republic : 1949- )
• PMID: 8364780 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Prednisolone
• Cromolyn Sodium

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Asthma (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Chronic Disease
• Cromolyn Sodium (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Forced Expiratory Volume (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate (drug effects)
• Middle Aged
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies