Low-dose budesonide improves exercise-induced bronchospasm in schoolchildren

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Asthma Management
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a common condition in children with mild asthma.
• Effective management strategies are needed to improve exercise tolerance and symptom control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical efficacy of low-dose inhaled budesonide versus placebo in managing EIB in children with mild asthma.
• To evaluate the impact of once or twice daily budesonide administration on exercise performance and asthma symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study involving 57 steroid-naive children (7-16 years) with EIB.
• Participants received inhaled budesonide (100 or 200 microg once daily, or 100 microg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks.
• Efficacy was assessed by the fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) after a standardized exercise test and daytime symptom scores.

Main Results:

• All budesonide treatment groups showed a significantly smaller fall in FEV1 post-exercise (7.2-7.8%) compared to placebo (16.7%).
• Daytime asthma symptom scores were significantly lower in budesonide groups versus placebo.
• No significant differences were observed between the different budesonide dosing regimens.

Conclusions:

• Low-dose inhaled budesonide, administered once or twice daily, is effective in improving exercise tolerance and symptom control in children with mild asthma and significant EIB.
• Budesonide provides a beneficial treatment option for pediatric patients experiencing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
• A 12-week treatment course with low-dose budesonide demonstrated significant clinical benefits.