RESUMEN
Nebulization simplifies the administration of effective inhaled medications to young asthmatics who experience hand-to-lung co-ordination problems and inspiratory difficulties associated with metered-dose and dry-powder inhalers, respectively. The objective of this double-blind, double-dummy multicentre, randomized, parallel-group study was to compare the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids given by nebulization or metered-dose inhalation in paediatric patients with exacerbation of asthma. Following a 24-h run-in period, 151 patients, aged 6-16years, with moderate to severe exacerbation of asthma were randomized to one of two treatment groups for 4 weeks: beclometasone dipropionate (BDP) suspension for nebulization 1,600 microg day(-1) b.i.d. given via a nebulizer (n = 75), or BDP spray 800 microg day(-1) b.i.d. given via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) plus spacer (BDP MDI) (n = 76). Superimposable and statistically significant improvements over baseline were noted at study end for the two treatment groups in the various efficacy parameters evaluated (pulmonary function tests, asthma symptoms scores, and the use of rescue salbutamol). The primary efficacy endpoint was the morning pulmonary expiratory flow rate (PEFR). In the BDP nebulization group, mean morning PEFR increased statistically significantly from 233.2 +/- 86.31 min(-1) to 322.0 +/- 101.81 min(-1), while in the BDP MDI group the increase was from 222.9 +/- 87.31 min(-1) to 314.9 +/- 96.61 min(-1). Moreover, an additional 4-week treatment period at half doses, completed by 26 patients, demonstrated that improvements were maintained or further enhanced. The two treatments were equally well tolerated. A total of 25 and 26 patients in the BDP nebulization and BDP MDI groups, respectively reported adverse events during the treatment period, and these were generally mild. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that BDP suspension for nebulization 1,600 microg day(-1) given via a nebulizer and BDP spray 800 microg day(-1) given via an MDI plus spacer are equally effective, with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, when used in paediatric patients with moderate to severe asthma exacerbation.