Efficacy of inhaled steroids (beclomethasone dipropionate) for treatment of mild to moderately severe asthma in the emergency department: a randomized clinical trial

Ann Emerg Med. 1999 Mar;33(3):304-9. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(99)70367-7.

Abstract

Study objective: To examine the efficacy of an inhaled steroid, when added to a standard regimen of beta-agonist therapy, in the treatment of patients with mild to moderately severe asthma in the emergency department.

Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients with asthma (FEV1 % predicted 40% to 69%) presenting to the ED was randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion into 2 treatment groups. The first group received 2.5 mg nebulized salbutamol plus 1 mg (4 puffs) of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) at baseline, 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, and 4 hours, delivered by a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) attached to a spacer device (Vent-AH-aler, Glaxo). The second group was given the same salbutamol regimen plus MDI placebo through the Vent-AH-aler. The primary endpoint was improvement in FEV1 %predicted at 6 hours.

Results: Of 54 patients enrolled, 28 were assigned to the BDP group and 26 to the placebo group. Spirometry improved significantly in both groups over the 6 hours compared with baseline (ANOVA, P <.001). At 6 hours, the mean absolute improvement in FEV1 % predicted for BDP was 18% versus 17% for placebo (95% confidence interval for the absolute difference of 1% [-8% to 10%]). The proportion of patients in the BDP group who were hospitalized was 7% compared with 19% for patients in the placebo group (95% confidence interval for the difference of 12% [-6%, 30%]).

Conclusion: In this group of patients with mild to moderately severe asthma, 5 mg BDP delivered by MDI during the initial 4 hours of an emergency visit was of no added benefit over standard therapy, as measured by improvement in FEV1 % predicted at 6 hours. However, a trend toward a difference in admission favoring BDP was observed. [Afilalo M, Guttman A, Colacone A, Dankoff J, Tselios C, Stern E, Wolkove N, Kreisman H: Efficacy of inhaled steroids (beclomethasone dipropionate) for treatment of mild to moderately severe asthma in the emergency department: A randomized clinical trial.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / administration & dosage*
  • Adult
  • Albuterol / administration & dosage*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Beclomethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spirometry

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Beclomethasone
  • Albuterol