Does the addition of oral azithromycin to standard therapy in children with poorly controlled asthma improve asthma control compared with standard treatment alone?
The beneficial effects of azithromycin in asthmatic adults have already been demonstrated however, the data on its effects on children was limited. This clinical trial explores the effectiveness of azithromycin in children with poorly controlled asthma.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases in children, however, it can affect adults as well. It is a disease in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce excessive mucus making breathing difficult. Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning.
Azithromycin is a commonly used antibiotic that is effective in controlling respiratory tract infections. However, clinical studies have also found it to be potentially effective in improving asthma control in adults. But clinical data on its use in children with poorly controlled asthma is limited.
Clinical Trial
This clinical trial tested the effects of azithromycin on children with poorly controlled asthma. The trial involved 120 children aged 5 to 15 years old, all of whom had been diagnosed with asthma and were experiencing symptoms despite being on standard asthma therapy. The children were randomly assigned to receive either azithromycin (10 mg/kg) three times weekly for 3 months along with standard treatment or standard treatment alone. The effectiveness of the treatment was measured by using Asthma Control Test (ACT), Childhood Asthma Control Test (CACT) score, and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines.
Results
The results of the clinical trial showed that the children who received azithromycin had a significant improvement in their asthma control compared to those who received standard treatment alone. The average ACT and CACT scores were 21.71 for the azithromycin group compared to 18.33 for the control group. The number of children with well-controlled asthma according to GINA guidelines was 41 of 56 vs 10 of 56 in the azithromycin and control groups, respectively. Additionally, there were no acute exacerbations or hospitalizations reported in the azithromycin group.
It also found that azithromycin was well-tolerated by the children, with no significant side effects reported. This is important because children with asthma often have other medical conditions or take other medications, and it is essential to ensure that any additional treatments are safe and do not interact negatively with existing treatments.
The findings of this clinical trial are significant because poorly controlled asthma can have a significant impact on a child's quality of life, leading to missed school days, reduced physical activity, and a higher risk of asthma exacerbations. Azithromycin may offer a new treatment option for children with poorly controlled asthma, potentially improving their symptoms and reducing the risk of exacerbations.
Conclusion
The clinical trial suggests that azithromycin may be a potential treatment option for children with poorly controlled asthma, showing promising results in improving asthma control without causing significant side effects. These results are significant as poorly controlled asthma is a serious medical condition affecting children worldwide.
However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment for your child’s asthma.
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