New study shows combination treatment allows children to enjoy better asthma control

New research published recently shows that asthmatic children can have better control of their condition if treated with the combination inhaled steroid / long acting beta agonist salmeterol/fluticasone propionate when compared to the oral treatment, montelukast (an oral leukotriene modifier).

The new research shows that children treated with salmeterol/fluticasone from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have 50% fewer exacerbations or worsening of the asthma attacks compared to those receiving montelukast treatment. This finding is significant since asthma exacerbations can cause any of the following; waking at night due to asthma, emergency visits to hospital, unscheduled doctor’s visit for a change of medication or needing frequent doses of asthma reliever medication.

Asthma is a common serious chronic disease of childhood and is becoming more prevalent, especially in children - estimates suggest that as many as 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma.

The PEACE study - PEdiatric Asthma Control Evaluation - is the first head-to-head study comparing two commonly prescribed treatments in children with uncontrolled asthma. Over 500 children aged 6 – 14 took part in the carefully controlled study for 12 weeks.

If not effectively treated, asthma can have a significant impact on a child’s life. In the study, the children who received salmeterol/fluticasone had significantly improved lung function compared with those taking montelukast. And these children had less disruptions from asthma; the data showed they were significantly more likely to have a well controlled week, meaning a week of not waking at night, not having to see a doctor for treatment change, or visit hospital, and only having very limited symptoms and reliever use

“These results are really important for children,” commented lead investigator, Dr Jorge Máspero MD, Clinical Research Director from Fundación, CIDEA, Argentina. “Despite guidelines on asthma, oral medications are still a preferred treatment for many children, regardless of whether or not their asthma is controlled and the child able to lead an unrestricted life. This study shows that children treated with the combination inhaled steroid/ long acting beta agonist, salmeterol/fluticasone, had significantly improved control over their asthma when compared with the oral medication montelukast (a leukotriene modifier). That the safety findings of both treatments are comparable is important and reassuring.”

“These findings are important and emphasize that inhaled therapies provide good asthma control in children”, pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Mary Therese Leopando says. “Physicians should consider these results when deciding on treatment options for children.”

These findings are supported by previous studies and provide further evidence of the superior level of control that salemeterol/fluticasone can give children with asthma. Patients are advised to consult their doctors for the most appropriate treatment for their bronchial asthma.

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