Effects of montelukast sodium combined with inhaled budesonide on small airway function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration in children with asthma

  Objective  To evaluate the clinical efficacy of montelukast sodium combined with inhaled budesonide in treatment of children with asthma, and the effects on small airway function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) concentration.

  Methods  A total of 132 children with typical asthma were prospectively selected as the research objects. They were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 66 cases in each group. The control group was treated with inhaled budesonide suspension, while the observation group was treated with montelukast sodium granules on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks continuously. Clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, pulmonary function and small airway function and FeNO concentration of the two groups were analyzed. The two groups were followed up for one year to compare the recurrence rate of asthma.

  Results  A total of 63 cases in control group and 64 cases in observation group finally completed the follow-up. The total clinical effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, there was no significant difference in related indexes of pulmonary function in the two groups (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, maximum mid expiratory flow rate (MMEF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% vital capacity (MEF₅₀) in the two groups were all statistically higher than before, and the observation group was statistically higher than the control group (P < 0.05); the concentration of FeNO in the two groups were significantly lower than before, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Follow-up showed that the recurrence rate of observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Montelukast sodium combined with inhaled budesonide has higher safety and efficacy in the treatment of children with asthma, which can further improve small airway function and reduce FeNO concentration.