Effects of Regular Inhalation of Beclomethasone Dipropionate and Sodium Cromoglycate on Bronchial Hyperreactivity in Asthmatic Children

ABSTRACT. The efficacy of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) was compared with sodium cromoglycate (SCG) and placebo in a double-blind parallel group study of 30 asthmatic children over a two-month period. All the three treatment groups received salbutamol concomitantly. Lung volumes, airway mechanics and the nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity to carbachol were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Two patients were excluded because of unequal clinical conditions at the entry and the end of the study and three because of lack of co-operation. Three patients (1 on SCG, 2 on placebo) dropped out because of worsening clinical symptoms. The improvement in airway mechanics shown by the group treated with BDP ( n =7) was significantly greater ( p <0.01) than in the group treated with SCG ( n =8). Nonspecific hyperreactivity to carbachol improved significantly in the BDP group (factor 5.9) compared to the SCG group (factor 1.9). Childhood asthma seems to be better controlled by a combination of BDP and salbutamol, than by SCG and salbutamol.     

Prevalence of hay fever and allergic sensitization in farmer's children and their peers living in the same rural community

INTRODUCTION: Lower prevalence rates of allergic diseases in rural as compared with urban populations have been interpreted as indicating an effect of air pollution. However, little is known about other factors of the rural environment which may determine the development of atopic sensitization and related diseases. OBJECTIVE: The authors tested the hypothesis that children growing up on a farm were less likely to be sensitized to common aerollergens and to suffer from allergic diseases than children living in the same villages but in nonfarming families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three age groups of schoolchildren (6-7 years, 9-11 years, 13-15 years) living in three rural communities were included in the analyses. An exhaustive questionnaire was filled in by 1620 (86.0%) parents. A blood sample was provided by 404 (69.3%) of the 13-15 year olds to determine specific IgE antibodies against six common aeroallergens. RESULTS: Farming as parental occupation was reported for 307 children (19.0%). After adjustment for potential covariates such as family history of asthma and allergies, parental education, number of siblings, maternal smoking, pet ownership, indoor humidity and heating fuels, farming as parental occupation was significantly associated with lower rates of sneezing attacks during pollen season (adjusted OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.89) and atopic sensitization (adjusted OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.73) whereas the association with wheeze (adjusted OR 0.77 95% CI 0.38-1.58) and itchy skin rash (adjusted OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.49-1.50) was not statistically significant. The risk of atopic sensitization was lower in children from full-time farmers (adjusted OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.66) than from part-time farmers (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.15-1.96). CONCLUSION: Factors directly or indirectly related to farming as parental occupation decrease the risk of children becoming atopic and developing symptoms of allergic rhinitis.