Comparison of efficacy between levosalbutamol and levosalbutamol-ipratropum nebulization in mild to moderate childhood asthma

ABSTRACT

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy between levosalbutamol and ipratropium combination over levosalbutamol nebulisation in reversing airflow obstruction and improve oxygenation, evaluated using the pulmonary asthma score, SaO2, and PEFR in mild and moderate asthma.Methods: A prospective, randomized, study was performed in RMMCH pediatric emergency department. Children between 6 and 12 years of age who presented with mild to moderate asthma exacerberations were enrolled in the study. They were randomly allocated into two different groups one nebulised with levosalbutamol alone and another with addition of ipratropium bromide to levosalbutamol. Baseline Peak expiratory flow rate and Final absolute values or change from baseline 60-120 minutes after the inhalation are measured. Patients were evaluated using the pulmonary score.Results: After treatment there is improvement in the mean pulmonary asthma scores and PEFR percentage in A+B group than A group, but it is not statistically significant (p value >0.05). There is statistically significant improvement in pulmonary asthma score and PEFR in each of the groups after nebulisation and pulmonary asthma score has a sensitivity of 66.7% and 65.6% in diagnosing severity of asthma in relation to PEFR.