A comparative study on the effect of nebulized budesonide and levosalbutamol versus ipratropium bromide and levosalbutamol in the management of acute asthma in children aged 5-11 years

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a non-communicable chronic inflammatory condition of lung airways. The availability of new diagnostic methods, introduction of a number of drugs, both oral and inhaled has revolutionized management of asthma in children. Goal was to achieve maximum effect with least amount of medication and allowing infrequent use of quick relievers. The present study was, therefore, designed to compare the effectiveness of single dose nebulization with combination of nebulized budesonide and levosalbutamol (group A) versus commonly used ipratropium bromide and levosalbutamol (group B) in children (5-11 years) with mild-moderate exacerbation of asthma.Methods: Was an observational comparative study involving 2 treatment groups of children in age group of (5-11) years, with mild-moderate exacerbation of asthma assessed by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and pulmonary score (PS).Results: Of 160 children analyzed, post nebulization mean predicted PEFR improved in both of the study groups, and the mean PS decreased in both the groups post nebulization which was statistically significant (p<0.001). But when comparing between the groups, the mean percentage of improvement in predicted PEFR and PS were almost similar.Conclusions: Even though, both the groups gave the same end result the group in which budesonide was used had a higher recovery time with the least number of nebulization.