PILGRIMS PROGRESS - THE EFFECT OF SALMETEROL IN OLDER CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC SEVERE ASTHMA

Twenty-four children aged 12-17 years entered a randomized, double-bli nd placebo-controlled study investigating the use of salmeterol in chr onic severe asthma. In addition to their usual medication, the childre n were given either placebo or 100 mu g salmeterol b.d. by dry powder inhalation. Treatment was continued throughout one term at a residenti al school for asthma. Symptom scores, peak expiratory flow rates, spir ometry and quality-of-life scores were compared between the two treatm ent groups. One child withdrew during the run-in period. Twelve pupils received placebo and 11 pupils received salmeterol. There were consis tent improvements in favour of salmeterol, reaching statistical signif icance for morning and evening peak flow rates and spirometry when mea sured on four occasions during the study period. There were no medicat ion-related adverse events recorded and no pulse rate changes. Salmete rol (100 mu g b.d.) is well tolerated and efficacious in older childre n with chronic severe asthma.