effect of beclomethasone inhalation and oral montelukast sodium on serum IgE levels and clinical parameters in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

IgE is considered to play a crucial role in allergic immune responses. Inhaled steroids and anti- leukotrienes are anti-asthmatic drugs which down regulate the immune responses. The present study was conducted to determine and compare the effects of a 6-months treatment with 600 mcg of inhaled beclomethasone and 5 mg of oral montelukast sodium on serum IgE, forced expiratory volume in 1[s] [FEV1] and clinical asthma scores in children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma. Sixty children with mild to moderate persistent asthma and sensitive to house-dust mites were randomly allocated to receive beclomethasone 600 mcg or montelukast 5 mg for 6 months. The level of serum total IgE, clinical parameters and FEV1 were measured before and after treatment. The results proved that, after 6 months of treatment, inhaled beclomethasone and montelukast, significantly decreased serum levels of total IgE, clinical asthma scores and FEV1 [P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively]. There were no significant differences between inhaled beclomehtasone and oral montelukast in changes of all clinical parameters, FEV1 and serum total IgE levels. Both inhaled beclomethasone and oral montelukast decreased the serum IgE levels and improved the clinical parameters and pulmonary function in asthmatic children