Montelukast as add-on therapy to inhaled beclomethasone in persistent bronchial asthma

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of Montelukast as add-on therapy in moderate persistent asthma with inadequate control on high dose inhaled beclomethasone. Study Design: A quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The study is carried out at the Combined Military Hospital Multan, from 1st Nov 2006 to 30th May 2007. Patients and Methods: One hundred nonsmoking symptomatic asthmatics with one year history of moderate persistent bronchial asthma being treated with high dose inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate for at least 6 weeks before the study were selected as per inclusion criteria. Group-I (47 cases) was given inhaled beclomethasone (1000 μg daily in two divided doses) alone for 12 weeks. While Group-II (48 cases) received both inhaled beclomethasone (1000ug daily in two divided doses) and Montelukast Sodium 10 mg at bed time for 12 weeks. Seven-point global evaluation score and Pulmonary function test (PFTs) were done at 0, 6 and 12 weeks; and the need for use of rescue 2-agonist was also calculated in both groups.