A RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF INHALED SALBUTAMOL AND BECLOMETHASONE FOR RECURRENT COUGH

Aims-To test the hypothesis that inhaled salbutamol or beclomethasone will reduce the frequency of cough in children with recurrent cough. A secondary aim was to determine if the presence of airway hyperrespons iveness (AHR) can predict the response. Design-Randomised, double blin d, placebo controlled trial. Methods-During a coughing phase, 43 child ren (age 6-17 years) with recurrent cough were randomised to receive i nhaled salbutamol or placebo (phase I) for 5-7 days and then beclometh asone or placebo (phase II) for 4-5 weeks, and in a subgroup of childr en for 8-9 weeks. The children used an ambulatory cough meter, kept co ugh diaries, and performed the capsaicin cough sensitivity, hypertonic saline bronchoprovocation, and skin prick tests. Results-Salbutamol o r beclomethasone had no effect on cough frequency or score, irrespecti ve of the presence of AHR. Conclusions-Most children with recurrent co ugh without other evidence of airway obstruction, do not have asthma a nd neither inhaled salbutamol nor beclomethasone is beneficial.