Abstract
To compare the efficacy of the on-demand use with that of the regular use of β stimulants in Disodium Cromoglycate (DSCG) inhalation therapy, we randomly divided 30 patients into two groups (on-demand use group and regular use group), and compared the clinical courses prospectively for 56 weeks between these groups. Excluding 8 patients, including 2 in the on-demand use group and 2 in the regular use group into whom regular use of inhaled steroid was introduced, 13 patients in the on-demand use group and 9 in the regular use group were finally examined.
The frequency of on-demand inhalation of β stimulants was significantly higher in the on-demand use group (mean; 190 times) than in the regular use group (mean; 40 times), but the mean total amount of inhaled β stimulants was significantly less in the on-demand use group (mean; 29.9ml) than in the regular use group (mean; 87.8ml). The days when the patients had cough were on the average 92.1 days in the on-demand use group and 49.6 days in the regular use group, and the difference was statistically significant, but there was no difference in the asthmatic attacks between both groups. The ratio of patients who showed decreased levels of Dp-IgE was 5/12 in the on-demand use group and 1/8 in the regular use group. The bronchial hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine was measured in 3 patients in the on-demand use group and in 1 in the regular use group, but there was no difference between them.
There was no difference in the asthmatic attacks between both groups, and the total amount of inhaled a stimulants was less, but the days when the patients had cough were more in the on-demand use group than in the regular use group. In this study, we could not show the efficacy of the on-demand use of β stimulants in DSCG inhalation therapy. Further studies with more subjects are necessary to assess the effectiveness of the on-demand use of β stimulants.
