J. Svedmyr et al., INTERMITTENT TREATMENT WITH INHALED STEROIDS FOR DETERIORATION OF ASTHMA DUE TO UPPER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS, Acta paediatrica, 84(8), 1995, pp. 884-888
Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a common cause of deterior
ation of asthma in children. We investigated if inhaled steroids (bude
sonide), started early after URTI, could reduce asthma. Thirty-one chi
ldren, 3-10 years of age, with deterioration during URTI participated.
The study design was double-blind, crossover and placebo-controlled.
Peak-expiratory flow (PEF) and symptom scores were recorded. Four trea
tment periods of 9 days, two with budesonide and two with placebo, wer
e planned. Treatment was started at the first sign of URTI. Budesonide
/placebo was given by Turbuhaler at 0.2 mg qid for 3 days, tid for 3 a
nd bid for the last 3 days. Twenty-two children completed 67 periods.
Eleven visited the emergency room, only three during budesonide therap
y. Five received oral steroids and two where admitted to hospital, all
receiving placebo. Symptom scores were not significantly lower during
budesonide treatment. PEF, both morning and evening, was significantl
y higher during budesonide than placebo (p = 0.015 and p = 0.022). Inh
aled budesonide can attenuate exacerbation of URTI-induced asthma.