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Evidence summaries

Inhaled Sodium Cromoglycate for Asthma in Children

Sodium cromoglycate may not reduce symptom-free days for maintenance therapy for chronic asthma in children, but it may have small positive effects on symptom scores and bronchodilator use. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review (abstract , review [Abstract]) included 23 studies with a total of 1026 patients. Only 4 studies provided results for the percentage of symptom-free days. Pooling the results did not reveal a statistically significant difference between sodium cromoglycate and placebo (WMD 6.76% favouring sodium cromoglycate, 95% CI -2.18 to 15.70). For the other pooled outcomes, most of the symptom-related outcomes and bronchodilator use showed statistically significant results, but treatment effects were small.The funnel plot showed an under representation of small studies with negative results, suggesting publication bias.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate or unclear allocation concealment) and by inconsistency (variability in results across studies).

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References

  • van der Wouden JC, Uijen JH, Bernsen RM, Tasche MJ, de Jongste JC, Ducharme F. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate for asthma in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008;(4):CD002173 [Review content assessed as up-to-date: 27 July 2010][PubMed].

Primary/Secondary Keywords