The Role of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist as an add on therapy to β2-Agonists in Acute Asthma

This study was designed to determine the role of leukotriene receptor antagonist as an add on therapy to β2-agonists in acute asthma. Methods: A prospective study carried out in ESIC hospital in which the total number of 100 patients were enrolled. The study has two arms, the group A treated with salbutamol alone and the group B treated with salbutamol and montelukast. The symptomatic changes and variation in pulmonary function test (PFT), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR) were compared between both the group. The data were collected, compiled, analysed with statistical tools (SPSS – Microsoft Version 6). Results: In comparison of
force expiratory volume % (FEV1 PRED) between the group A and group B, after 24 hours significant change was noticed in group B. The results of forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) shows a significant difference after 24 hours of the treatment with salbutamol in group A and salbutamol plus leukotriene receptor antagonist (Montelukast) from the baseline measurement. Base line asthma score shows p value (p = 0.58). But after 48 hours, significant change was noticed in both groups. p value was significant (p = 0.05). In group B, asthma score was significantly improved with passage of time. Conclusion: The study revealed the effectiveness of leukotriene receptor antagonist in preventing many types of aggravated asthmatic responses. Once-daily treatment with 10 mg of montelukast, as compared with β2-agonists, provided significant protection against severe broncho-constriction. Parameters strongly confirmed the role of leukotriene receptor antagonist when in addition added with β2-agonists.