Lung function changes in asthmatic children treated with HFA-BDP.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Asthma guidelines suggest that normal or near normal lung function should be one of the goals for good asthma control. Therefore, children with chronic persistent asthma and reduced peripheral airway function were assessed after the replacement of conventional inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with an extrafine aerosol formulation, hydrofluoroalkane-134a beclomethoasone diproprionate (HFA-BDP). DESIGN AND SETTING: Lung function and clinical details were studied in children with moderate persistent asthma who regularly attended the pediatric pulmonary outpatient clinic at Kosair Children's Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. SUBJECTS: A total of 20 children, 7 girls and 13 boys, with stable asthma but reduced forced expiratory flows between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF(25-75) ) were included in the study. INTERVENTION: After the initial assessment, each subject was switched from conventional ICS to HFA-BDP. All other medications remained the same. Reassessment of lung function and clinical status was performed at least 3 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: FEF(25-75) increased from a mean of 50.75% to 68.85% predicted (P < 0.001). Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV(1)) also increased significantly from 84.6% to 93.8% predicted (P = 0.001). No changes asthma symptoms were observed. CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional ICS, the use of HFA-BDP in asthmatic children significantly improves airflow in both the large and the peripheral airways without loss of asthma control.