A double-blind, randomized study of sodium cromoglycate versus placebo in patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchial hyperreactivity

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1990 Mar;85(3):649-54. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(90)90106-e.

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of sodium cromoglycate (SCG) on patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and with bronchial hyperreactivity, a long-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed. Fourteen patients with CF and without asthma (aged 7 to 29 years) and with bronchial hyperreactivity entered the study. Each patient received 8 weeks of 1% SCG nebulizer solution three to four times daily and 8 weeks of placebo. Seven patients received the treatment in the order SCG/placebo and seven patients in the reverse order. Evaluation of SCG effect was performed every 4 to 8 weeks by (1) clinical assessment of symptoms, (2) clinician and patient/parent opinion, (3) pulmonary function tests, and (4) methacholine provocation tests. After two patients were withdrawn for lack of cooperation, the results were evaluated for treatment effect (SCG versus placebo), period effect (whether SCG was administered first or last), or combination of both. No significant difference was found for these parameters for the clinical assessment of symptoms, the patient/parent and clinician opinion, their subjective preferences, the metacholine challenges, or the pulmonary function tests. The study did not demonstrate any benefit from the use of SCG in patients with CF and with bronchial hyperreactivity and does not support the routine use of SCG in patients with CF.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / physiopathology*
  • Bronchi / drug effects*
  • Bronchi / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Child
  • Cromolyn Sodium / therapeutic use*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / physiology
  • Humans
  • Methacholine Chloride
  • Methacholine Compounds
  • Placebos / therapeutic use*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Methacholine Compounds
  • Placebos
  • Methacholine Chloride
  • Cromolyn Sodium