Effect of Inhaled Corticosteroid and Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist in Cough-variant Asthma Patients under Five Years of Age

Jung, Jin A

Abstract

PURPOSE
Cough-variant asthma (CVA) is a common cause of chronic cough in young children. Some children who have CVA eventually develop classic asthma. We evaluated the effect of inhaled corticosteroid and leukotriene receptor antagonist in young children who are suspected of having CVA. METHODS: Thirty-seven cough-variant asthma patients younger than 5-years-old were enrolled in this study. Fifteen were treated with pulmicort nebulization (500 micorgram, bid) for 4 weeks (Group A). Fourteen were treated with leukotriene receptor antagonist (Singulair, 4 mg) for 4 weeks (Group B). Eleven were treated with intermittent short-acting beta2-agonist nebulization (Group C). We evaluated the mean change of symptom score in night cough and sleep disturbance. RESULTS: There were no differences in age, sex, total IgE, total eosinophil count or duration of cough among the three groups. Group A and B showed significant improvement of night cough and sleep disturbance after treatment. (P< 0.05) In Group A and B, night cough was significantly improved after treatment more than in control. (P< 0.05) But improvements in sleep disturbance didn't have any signigicant differences between the three groups. (P= 1.0) CONCLUSION: Inhaled corticosteroid and leukotriene receptor antagonist are effective to control chronic cough in CVA children younger than 5-years-old.