Use of beclomethasone dipropionate as rescue treatment for children with mild persistent asthma (TREXA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Fernando D Martínez ,Hengameh Heidarian-Raissy,Elizabeth Bade,Jonathan Malka-Rais,David T Mauger ,Michael Mellon ,Ronina Covar ,Wayne J Morgan ,Vernon M Chinchilli ,Noah J Friedman ,Stanley J Szefler ,Theresa W Guilbert ,Susan J Boehmer ,Christine A Sorkness ,Robert S Zeiger ,Leonard B Bacharier ,Robert F Lemanske ,Robert C Strunk ,H William Kelly ,Lynn M Taussig

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(10)62145-9

Abstract

Daily inhaled corticosteroids are an effective treatment for mild persistent asthma, but some children have exacerbations even with good day-to-day control, and many discontinue treatment after becoming asymptomatic. We assessed the effectiveness of an inhaled corticosteroid (beclomethasone dipropionate) used as rescue treatment. In this 44-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we enrolled children and adolescents with mild persistent asthma aged 5-18 years from five clinical centres in the USA. A computer-generated randomisation sequence, stratified by clinical centre and age group, was used to randomly assign participants to one of four treatment groups: twice daily beclomethasone with beclomethasone plus albuterol as rescue (combined group); twice daily beclomethasone with placebo plus albuterol as rescue (daily beclomethasone group); twice daily placebo with beclomethasone plus albuterol as rescue (rescue beclomethasone group); and twice daily placebo with placebo plus albuterol as rescue (placebo group). Twice daily beclomethasone treatment was one puff of beclomethasone (40 μg per puff) or placebo given in the morning and evening. Rescue beclomethasone treatment was two puffs of beclomethasone or placebo for each two puffs of albuterol (180 μg) needed for symptom relief. The primary outcome was time to first exacerbation that required oral corticosteroids. A secondary outcome measured linear growth. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00394329. 843 children and adolescents were enrolled into this trial, of whom 288 were assigned to one of four treatment groups; combined (n=71), daily beclomethasone (n=72), rescue beclomethasone (n=71), and placebo (n=74)-555 individuals were excluded during the run-in, according to predefined criteria. Compared with the placebo group (49%, 95% CI 37-61), the frequency of exacerbations was lower in the daily (28%, 18-40, p=0·03), combined (31%, 21-43, p=0·07), and rescue (35%, 24-47, p=0·07) groups. Frequency of treatment failure was 23% (95% CI 14-43) in the placebo group, compared with 5·6% (1·6-14) in the combined (p=0·012), 2·8% (0-10) in the daily (p=0·009), and 8·5% (2-15) in the rescue (p=0·024) groups. Compared with the placebo group, linear growth was 1·1 cm (SD 0·3) less in the combined and daily arms (p<0·0001), but not the rescue group (p=0·26). Only two individuals had severe adverse events; one in the daily beclomethasone group had viral meningitis and one in the combined group had bronchitis. Children with mild persistent asthma should not be treated with rescue albuterol alone and the most effective treatment to prevent exacerbations is daily inhaled corticosteroids. Inhaled corticosteroids as rescue medication with albuterol might be an effective step-down strategy for children with well controlled, mild asthma because it is more effective at reducing exacerbations than is use of rescue albuterol alone. Use of daily inhaled corticosteroid treatment and related side-effects such as growth impairment can therefore be avoided. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Highlights

In children with mild persistent asthma, guidelines recommend the daily use of inhaled corticosteroids in low doses as the preferred treatment for the control of symptoms and asthma exacerbations.[1,2] Often, parents or children have great difficulty adhering to twice daily treatment during long asymptomatic periods, and either use inhaled corticosteroids sparingly or interrupt treatment altogether.[3]
843 children and adolescents were enrolled into this trial, of whom 288 were assigned to one of four treatment groups; combined (n=71), daily beclomethasone (n=72), rescue beclomethasone (n=71), and placebo (n=74)—555 individuals were excluded during the run-in, according to predefined criteria
Interpretation—Children with mild persistent asthma should not be treated with rescue albuterol alone and the most effective treatment to prevent exacerbations is daily inhaled corticosteroids

Summary

Introduction

In children with mild persistent asthma, guidelines recommend the daily use of inhaled corticosteroids in low doses as the preferred treatment for the control of symptoms and asthma exacerbations.[1,2] Often, parents or children have great difficulty adhering to twice daily treatment during long asymptomatic periods, and either use inhaled corticosteroids sparingly or interrupt treatment altogether.[3] for children whose illness is well controlled with such treatment, no studies have established the optimum period for which treatment should be maintained, or at which point an individual should be weaned from treatment. What is the best strategy for discontinuing treatment in children with well controlled, mild asthma, but who are still at risk for exacerbations. Is there a treatment regimen that will decrease the risk of exacerbations in children with mild disease to a greater extent than is achieved with daily inhaled corticosteroids? Is there a treatment regimen that will decrease the risk of exacerbations in children with mild disease to a greater extent than is achieved with daily inhaled corticosteroids? Does this regimen need to be added to continued treatment with daily inhaled corticosteroids or can it be given on an as-needed basis?

Methods

Results

Conclusion