Budesonide treatment of moderate and severe asthma in children: a dose-response study

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 Jan;95(1 Pt 1):29-33. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(95)70149-4.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the dose-response relationships of the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide in a double blind crossover study in 19 children with moderate and severe asthma.

Methods: A 2-week placebo treatment period (run-in) was followed by three 4-week treatment periods during which 100, 200, and 400 micrograms of budesonide were given per day in randomized order. Urinary cortisol excretion, lung functions, and protection against exercise-induced asthma were assessed at the end of run-in and each treatment period. Furthermore, morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates, day and night symptoms, and use of rescue beta 2-agonists were recorded throughout the study.

Results: One hundred micrograms of budesonide per day markedly improved symptoms, morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates, and use of rescue beta 2-agonists (p < 0.01). No further improvement was seen in these parameters with increasing doses of budesonide. In contrast, a significant dose-response effect was found on lung functions measured at the hospital and fall in lung functions after exercise (p < 0.001); 200 micrograms was significantly better than 100 micrograms, and 400 micrograms was significantly better than 200 micrograms. About 53% of the maximum effect against exercise-induced asthma was achieved by the lowest budesonide dose (p < 0.001), and about 83% by the highest dose. No significant differences were seen in urinary cortisol excretion between run-in and the various budesonide doses.

Conclusions: Low doses of budesonide, which are not associated with any systemic side effects, have a marked antiasthma effect in children. Protection against exercise-induced asthma requires higher doses than achievement of symptom control.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Asthma / urine
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bronchodilator Agents / adverse effects
  • Budesonide
  • Child
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / urine
  • Male
  • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / drug effects
  • Pregnenediones / administration & dosage*
  • Pregnenediones / adverse effects
  • Vital Capacity / drug effects

Substances

  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Pregnenediones
  • Budesonide
  • Hydrocortisone