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Alternative treatments for asthma: assessing the need.
S J Szefler1, A K Kamada, D Hughes
1Ira J. and Jacqueline Neimark Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology in Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
Summary
For severe asthma patients, reducing systemic corticosteroid use is key. This study found that many children on corticosteroids did not need alternative asthma treatments after a thorough review.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Severe asthma often requires systemic corticosteroids, which carry risks.
- Alternative therapies are sometimes used to minimize corticosteroid adverse effects.
- These alternatives can also have significant toxicity and cost.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review corticosteroid reduction and the need for alternative treatments in pediatric asthma patients.
- To evaluate the impact of comprehensive corticosteroid reviews on treatment decisions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 125 pediatric patients with moderate to severe asthma.
- Analysis of corticosteroid requirements and consideration for alternative therapies.
- Evaluation of patients deemed "steroid-dependent".
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in corticosteroid requirements was observed in the patient cohort.
- Only 23 out of 125 children were considered for alternative treatments.
- A small subset, 10 patients, actually received alternative therapies.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive review of corticosteroid use is crucial before considering alternative asthma treatments.
- Many patients initially considered for alternatives may not require them after optimized corticosteroid management.
- This approach can help minimize unnecessary toxicity and expense associated with alternative therapies.