HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by O'Byrne, P. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by O'Byrne, P. M.

Obstructive Lung Disease from Conception to Old Age

Differences in the Treatment of Adults and Children with Asthma

¹ Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Hospital and the Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Paul M. O'Byrne, M.B., F.R.C.P.I., F.R.C.P.(C), F.R.C.P.E., Rm 3W10, McMaster University Medical Center, 1200 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON, L9G 4R7 Canada. E-mail: obyrnep{at}mcmaster.ca

ABSTRACT

Achieving asthma control is the focus of asthma management. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective treatment for asthma in children and adults, with no evidence that the magnitude of benefit differs between adults and school-aged children. Leukotriene inhibitors are more widely used in children than in adults. This may be because provoking stimuli, such as environmental allergens and frequent exercise, are more important asthma triggers in children or because parental concerns about the side effects of treatment with ICS. Inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting inhaled β₂-agonist combinations may not be as effective in children as in they are adults in improving asthma control and reducing asthma exacerbations.

Key Words: inhaled corticosteroids • leukotriene inhibitors • long-acting inhaled β₂-agonists • adults • school-aged children