European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Asthma is a major public health problem that negatively impacts patients, their families, and the community by inducing work and school loss, a poor quality of life, frequent emergency visits, hospitalizations, and death. A Consistent increase in asthma over past 60 yrs. has made it an extraordinary common disease The prevalence of asthma is very high in children of North India and Punjab region due to Urbanisation, air pollution, environmental factors and genetic factors. Montelukast is now potent drug approved for use in persistent asthma and also as preferable over ICS in some cases. Aims: To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of Budesonide (inhalational corticosteroid) and Montelukast (oral leukotriene-receptor antagonist) in children with Mild-moderate persistent asthma. Material and Methods: A Cross-Sectional study was done on 80 children, 40 in each group, who visits Paediatric Department of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala with mild to moderate persistent asthma after taking informed consent from patient’s guardian and Ethical Committee of GMC Patiala. The efficacy was assessed by wheezing/asthma exacerbation, pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), reduction in night symptom score or beta agonist use. The safety was assessed carefully by patient reported side effects. Results: The Percentage change of Mean FEV1 values from Baseline to Post- Therapy in Group-1 was 23.367% (p-value-0.001) and Group-2 was 27.097% (p-value-0.001). Change in Mean FEV1 Values in both the groups in individual was Highly significant but when compared to one another, had insignificant difference. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in the within group analysis in FEV1 in both Montelukast and in the Budesonide group over the period of 1 year. Both the drugs are Safe to use except for few non-significant side-effects which are Manageable.