The potential value of a 750-ml spacer for the administration of inhaled corticosteroids to children.
An open, cross-over trial was conducted on 25 asthmatic children, aged 6-13 years, who required inhaled steroids. They inhaled Budesonide 200 micrograms twice daily, either directly from the metered dose inhaler or via the pear spacer (PS), for 2 months on each, in randomized order. The effects of the treatment were monitored with diary cards recording peak expiratory flow rates twice daily, symptoms and treatment taken, and with monthly clinical assessments including more sensitive lung function studies (flow-volume loops and single breath nitrogen wash-out tests). There was no specifically PS-related improvement in symptoms or in the majority of tests, but the results showed improvement with time when using either method. The improvement was more distinct in some tests reflecting proximal airway calibre (i.e., PEFR) than in tests thought to reflect predominantly peripheral airway calibre (i.e., F50, RV). The bronchodilator responsiveness, as shown by the increase in lung function tests after a beta-agonist was given, was significantly greater for FVC during the periods when the PS was used, although there was no significant improvement in FEV2 or PEFR. The improvement in tests reflecting proximal airways may have been due to optimization of the inhalation technique, greater understanding of asthma, or better compliance with medication associated with regular attendance for the study. The greater bronchodilator response whilst children were inhaling budesonide by the PS may have been due to increased deposition or better distribution of the steroid but was probably related to a difference between the two groups in initial baseline function tests.