Press Release
New study demonstrates adding 'Singulair'® (montelukast) to children's usual asthma treatment halves the number of days they experience worsened asthma symptoms
Merck Sharp & DohmePosted on:05 Oct 07New study demonstrates adding 'Singulair'® (montelukast) to children's usual asthma treatment halves the number of days they experience worsened asthma symptoms
4 October 2007: The short term addition of 'Singulair'® (montelukast) to usual asthma therapy for six weeks after school return could substantially reduce asthma morbidity and unscheduled physician visits during this predictably high-risk period1. The new study published in the journal Pediatrics found that asthmatic children in Canada aged 2 to 14, randomly assigned montelukast in addition to their regular therapy*, experienced half the number of days with worsened asthma symptoms than those taking placebo (3.9% vs 8.3%; p<.02)1. The montelukast group were also four times less likely than those receiving placebo to require unscheduled medical intervention for asthma symptoms (78% decrease; p=.011).1
In the Canadian study 194 asthmatic children aged 2 to 14, stratified according to age group and gender (98 randomly assigned to montelukast and 96 placebo), took part in the doubleblind, randomized, placebo-controlled 45 day trial. A magnet-backed fridge calendar was used to record daily symptom rate, with dated, coloured stickers to indicate asthma symptom rating.1
UK studies have demonstrated that the number of admissions of children with asthma is seasonal with a large peak in autumn and a smaller peak in spring.2,3 The sharp rise in September is probably a combination of viral infection and increased exposure to airborne allergens.4,5 When children with asthma are re-exposed to risk factors on return to school, lack of adequate controller medication may increase their risk of worsening asthma1. In this study, the addition of an oral therapy, montelukast, to a child’s usual asthma therapy was effective in reducing morbidity, with high compliance (92% for montelukast, 93% for placebo)1.
Commenting on the results Dr Mark Everard, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician from Sheffield Children’s Hospital said: “The increase in asthma exacerbations in September, coinciding with the return to school, is well known. This interesting study suggests that starting montelukast before asthmatic children return to school in September may significantly reduce the morbidity they experience in the early autumn.”
*Over 90% of children were prescribed an ICS, and 30% in each group were prescribed a combination product (ICS with LABA). No children were prescribed a LABA without ICS.
On average there are three children with asthma in every classroom in the UK, and half a million children with asthma miss school at least once a month because of their symptoms6.
For further information or material please contact:
Tola Awogbamiye Merck Sharp & Dohme Tel: 01992 452 730 Email: tola_awogbamiye@merck.com
Lizz Fort Galliard Healthcare Communications Tel: 020 7663 2280 Email: lfort@galliardhealth.com
References
Lizz Fort
Galliard Healthcare Communications
http://www.galliardhealth.com/
+44 (0) 20 7663 2250
lfort@galliardhealth.com
4 October 2007: The short term addition of 'Singulair'® (montelukast) to usual asthma therapy for six weeks after school return could substantially reduce asthma morbidity and unscheduled physician visits during this predictably high-risk period1. The new study published in the journal Pediatrics found that asthmatic children in Canada aged 2 to 14, randomly assigned montelukast in addition to their regular therapy*, experienced half the number of days with worsened asthma symptoms than those taking placebo (3.9% vs 8.3%; p<.02)1. The montelukast group were also four times less likely than those receiving placebo to require unscheduled medical intervention for asthma symptoms (78% decrease; p=.011).1
In the Canadian study 194 asthmatic children aged 2 to 14, stratified according to age group and gender (98 randomly assigned to montelukast and 96 placebo), took part in the doubleblind, randomized, placebo-controlled 45 day trial. A magnet-backed fridge calendar was used to record daily symptom rate, with dated, coloured stickers to indicate asthma symptom rating.1
UK studies have demonstrated that the number of admissions of children with asthma is seasonal with a large peak in autumn and a smaller peak in spring.2,3 The sharp rise in September is probably a combination of viral infection and increased exposure to airborne allergens.4,5 When children with asthma are re-exposed to risk factors on return to school, lack of adequate controller medication may increase their risk of worsening asthma1. In this study, the addition of an oral therapy, montelukast, to a child’s usual asthma therapy was effective in reducing morbidity, with high compliance (92% for montelukast, 93% for placebo)1.
Commenting on the results Dr Mark Everard, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician from Sheffield Children’s Hospital said: “The increase in asthma exacerbations in September, coinciding with the return to school, is well known. This interesting study suggests that starting montelukast before asthmatic children return to school in September may significantly reduce the morbidity they experience in the early autumn.”
*Over 90% of children were prescribed an ICS, and 30% in each group were prescribed a combination product (ICS with LABA). No children were prescribed a LABA without ICS.
On average there are three children with asthma in every classroom in the UK, and half a million children with asthma miss school at least once a month because of their symptoms6.
For further information or material please contact:
Tola Awogbamiye Merck Sharp & Dohme Tel: 01992 452 730 Email: tola_awogbamiye@merck.com
Lizz Fort Galliard Healthcare Communications Tel: 020 7663 2280 Email: lfort@galliardhealth.com
References
- Johnston NW, Mandhane PJ, Dai J, Duncan JM, Greene JM, Lambert K, and Sears MR. Attenuation of the September Epidemic of Asthma Exacerbations in Children: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Montelukast Added to Usual Therapy. Pediatrics 2007;120: 3: e702-e712
- Khot A, Evans N, Lenney W. Seasonal trends in childhood asthma in South East England. Br Med J 1983; 287:1257-8
- Ashley JS. Seasonal trends in childhood asthma. Br Med J 1983; 287:1721
- Storr J, Lenney W. School holidays and admissions with asthma. Arch Dis Child 1989;64:103-107
- Carlsen KH, Orstavik I, Leegaard J, Hoeg H. Respiratory virus infections and aeroallergens in acute bronchial asthma. Arch Dis Child 1984; 59:310-5
- Asthma UK (2005) Making School and Stress Free Zone (online). Last accessed 25 September 2007. Available at: http://www.asthma.org.uk/news_media/news/making_school_a.html
- Singulair SPC
Lizz Fort
Galliard Healthcare Communications
http://www.galliardhealth.com/
+44 (0) 20 7663 2250
lfort@galliardhealth.com
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