Abstract
Background and objectives: Asthma is a chronic disease that the prevalence of its symptoms is about 1 to 30 percent and is increasing in many countries. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are one of its basic therapeutic agents. the frequency of spray administered daily is one of the most important factors in patients’ adherence to treatment. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of different frequencies of ICS administration in the treatment of mild persistent asthma, in children.
Materials and methods: In a randomized controlled trial the patients with mild persistent asthma at the age of 2-14 years receiving flixotide 1 puff twice daily for first 3 months and then 2 puffs once daily for another 3 months were compared with asthmatic patients with the same age and degree of severity who received 1 puff twice daily for 6 months.
Results: the results of treatment showed no significant difference between two groups but treatment adherence was better in the first group (1puff twice daily for first 3 months and 2 puffs once daily for the next).
Conclusion: The lack of significant difference between the results of treatment in two groups, and Increased parental adherence in first group suggest that lower frequencies of spray administration after a partial establishment of improvement, could be better tolerated.