Evaluating Changes in the Clinical Presentation of Acute Obstructive Bronchitis in Preschool Children Using Antiviral Therapy

Abstract

A randomized double-blind controlled study was carried out to evaluate changes in the clinical presentation of acute obstructive bronchitis in preschool children using antiviral, anti-inflammatory therapy. The study enrolled 54 subjects (aged 3-6 years old) hospitalized with verified diagnosis of acute obstructive bronchitis. Their parents had given their informed consent for participation. Group 1 (n=26) received etiotropic therapy with the drug having complex antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect (Ergoferon), group 2 (n=28) received placebo. Meanwhile all children received complex therapy of ARI. To evaluate therapeutic efficacy the following parameters were compared: time to elimination of the clinical manifestations of the disease; extent of alleviation of the key symptoms, incidence of wheezing episodes and complications. Results. According to PCR, rhinoviruses prevailed in both groups in oropharyngeal swabs (31% in group 1 and 57% in group 2); furthermore, RNA of influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus types 2 and 4 and metapneumovirus were also detected; 3 children in each group simultaneously had RNA of various viruses; no differences between the groups were observed. In group 1 average duration of increased body temperature (morning measurement) was 1.6 (1.4-1.9)±0.6 days, respectively, and all children reached normal values of morning and evening body temperature by the end of 3-day therapy. In group 2 morning body temperature reached normal values on types 2.7 (2.1-3.3)±1.2 days, respectively ( ü-test, P=0.002), while complete normalization in all children took place on day 6 of the follow-up. Area under curve for daily body temperature was statistically lower in group 1: 514.3 (513.8-514.9)±1.4 (°С x days) vs. 516.3 (515.1-517.5)±2.5(°C x days) in group 2 (U-test, P=0.002). Intoxication in group 1 was eliminated within 2.8 (2.5-3.1)±0.80 days on average, in group 2 - within 4.5 (4.1-4.8)±0.96 days (P

Keywords

• acute respiratory infections
• acute obstructive bronchitis
• wheezing
• antiviral therapy
• anti-inflammatory antihistamine therapy
• ergoferon
• preschool children
• pcr
• randomised double blind placebo-controlled clinical trials