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Biomedical subjects

E J Cooper

Publications and source records attributed to E J Cooper.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Substitution of beclomethasone aerosol for oral prednisolone in the treatment of chronic asthma.

In a double-blind study 10 patients with chronic asthma received beclomethasone dipropionate 400 mug daily in a Freon propellant from a pressurized dispenser, and 10 patients received the Freon propellant alone. At the start of the trial each patient was receiving long-term maintenance treatment with oral prednisolone in a dose of 7.5 to 15 mg daily. The daily dose of prednisolone was reduced by 1 mg every four weeks and the patient's progress followed by regular clinical assessment and studies of pituitary-adrenal function. The trial was continued until the dose of prednisolone was reduced to zero or until asthmatic symptoms increased to an unacceptable level.In the 10 patients who received beclomethasone the mean maintenance dose of oral prednisolone was reduced by 5.6 mg/day but in only two cases could this drug be withdrawn completely. In the placebo group the mean reduction in dose was only 1.3 mg, thus there was a significant difference between the two groups (P <0.01). Studies of pituitary-adrenal function showed that a normal adrenal response to tetracosactrin stimulation returned only in the two patients from whom prednisolone was withdrawn.Hence the addition of beclomethasone dipropionate by inhalation to systemic corticosteroid therapy allows useful reductions to be made in the oral maintenance doses of corticosteroid. Reductions must be made with caution since there is wide individual variation in response to beclomethasone and in only a minority of patients can oral treatment by completely withdrawn.

Administration, Oral↗

Bronchodilator effect of oral salbutamol in asthmatics treated with corticosteroids.

In a double-blind trial the effect on ventilatory function of oral salbutamol (in two different doses) and a placebo were studied in 12 patients with chronic asthma receiving regular maintenance treatment with prednisolone. Salbutamol in a dose of 4 mg four times daily, given for a period of four weeks, produced a sustained and statistically significant increase in peak expiratory flow rate over the pretreatment recordings. This effect was not observed with a lower dose of salbutamol (2 mg four times daily) or with a placebo. Salbutamol in the higher dose would seem to be an effective and safe oral bronchodilator that can be recommended for the treatment of mild or moderate asthma. The duration of treatment in this study was, however, limited to four weeks, and it is not known whether effective bronchodilatation would be maintained if the drug were given for longer periods.

Administration, Oral↗

Wellness programs slow rising costs.

Actual cost-savings for company wellness programs may require several years, but such tangible savings as improved morale and decreased absenteeism are almost immediate.

Cost Savings↗