ACTION OF NEDOCROMIL SODIUM IN EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHMA IN ADOLESCENTS

In view of the high incidence of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in asth matic adolescents and adults, the aim of the present study was to exam ine the preventive effect of nedocromil sodium administered prior to a n exercise provocation test The study involved 30 adolescents with EIA , aged between 14 and 19 years, who attended gymnastics classes at the Children's Hospital and Aerobics School. Baseline spirometry, six-min ute treadmill running and spirometry for 7-15 minutes post-exercise we re performed. During the same week and under identical temperature and humidity conditions, the same test was carried out with 4 mg nedocrom il sodium (two inhalations) administered 30 minutes before exercise. O riginal post-exercise FEV(1) values were compared with the findings af ter administration of nedocromil sodium. Seventeen subjects (56%,) wer e totally protected (<5% decrease in FEV(1)) and 13 subjects (44%) wer e partially protected (<10% decrease in FEV(1)). EIA persisted in the fifteen subjects who received placebo pretreatment. Nedocromil sodium, administered 30 minutes prior to exercise, was effective, providing a n opportunity to enhance the quality of life of the asthmatic patient troubled by exercise-induced symptoms.