Background: We compared the bronchodilative effects of salbutamol delivered via 3 different mesh nebulizers, Aeroneb-go(R)(AE), Omron-NE-U22(R)(OM) and Pari-eMotion(R)(PA).
Methods: We enrolled 36 children with asthma who visited the Kurosaka Pediatrics and Allergy Clinic, randomly assigned to 3 groups for treatment with AE, OM or PA. The dose of salbutamol in the solution was 0.15mgx body weight (kg)(minimum 2.5mg, maximum 5mg). FEV(1), PEFR and V(50) were measured in these patients before treatment, and at 15 and 30 minutes after salbutamol inhalation using one of the 3 mesh nebulizers.
Results: All groups showed a significant improvement of FEV(1), PEFR and V(50) at 30 minutes after salbutamol inhalation. The AE group did not show a significant improvement in PEFR at 15 minutes after inhalation, whereas a significant improvement in FEV(1) and V(50) was evident at the same time point. The OM group showed no significant improvement in V(50) at 15 minutes after inhalation, whereas this group clearly showed a significant improvement in PEFR and FEV(1) at the same time point.
Conclusions: Overall, all 3 mesh nebulizers were useful devices in treating bronchial asthma, although some differences in lung function improvement were evident. The limitation of this study is that subjects did not include patients with severe asthma attacks.