Nebulized Fluticasone Propionate VS Oral Prednisone in Chinese Pediatric and Adolescent Subjects With an Acute Exacerbation of Asthma

PEF is the maximum flow generated during a forceful exhalation, starting from full lung inflation. Participants recorded on diary card the best of three PEF measurements, using a mini-Wright peak flow meter in the evening (6:00-9:00 post meridiem [PM]) before taking any study drug. Only data that was drawn from Days 1/2 to 8 after randomization and before or on the end date of study drug was used for analysis. If participants started to take the study drug in the morning (early or on 12:00 PM), only then the evening PEF on the date of randomization was used. The outcome measure was considered missing if less than 2 days was recorded in the given treatment assessment period. Two participants from fluticasone propionate group and 5 participants from prednisone group had the missing outcome measure. Analysis was performed using an ANCOVA model with effects due to gender, age, centre and treatment group.

The symptoms of cough, sputum production, wheeze and dyspnoea were assessed in morning and evening, and recorded on participant diary cards. Day-time symptoms were scored while retiring to bed on a scale of 0 (no symptoms) to 5 (severe). Night-time symptoms were scored while waking in the morning on a scale of 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (severe). For day-time score, only data that was from Days 2 to 8 after randomization and before or on the end date of study drug was used. For night-time score, only data that are from Days 2 to 8 after randomization and on or before one day after the end date of study drug was used. The outcome measure was considered missing if less than 2 days were recorded in the given treatment assessment period. The analysis only includes participants with at least 2 days of non-missing symptom scores in the given treatment assessment period.

The use of nebulized salbutamol (doses/puffs and frequency) were recorded on diary card in the morning and evening. The median numbers of times of use of rescue medication during day and night was calculated for each participant over the treatment assessment period. In each case, only data that was from Days 2 to 8 after randomization and before or on the end date of study drug was used. The outcome measure was considered missing if less than 2 days (that is., 24-hour periods) were recorded in the given treatment assessment period. The analysis only includes participants who have at least 2 days of non-missing numbers of times rescue medication (including zero) in the given treatment assessment period.

Spirometric assessments of FEV1 and FVC were assessed at clinic visit 1 (Screening), 2 (Day 5) and 3 (Day 8). Lung function tests were performed at the approximately same time at each visit in the morning. Participants were instructed to withhold salbutamol therapy for at least 4 hour, and the highest of three FEV1 and FVC measurements were recorded. If participants discontinued before or on Day 5, then the FEV1 and FVC collected at the early withdrawal visit is included in the Visit 2. Otherwise, the FEV1, FVC collected at the early withdrawal visit was included in the Visit 3. Analysis was performed using ANCOVA with covariates of gender, centre, age and treatment.

The clinical scoring index was assessed at Baseline (Visit 1), Day 5 and Day 8. The score assigned represented the sum of the score for each of four signs: respiratory rate, wheezing, inspiration/expiration ratio, and accessory muscle use. Each of these parameters were scored on a 4-point scale of 0 to 3 where 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate and 3=severe. The total score ranged from 0 to 12, where 0 indicated absence of symptoms and 12 indicated most severe symptoms. The Baseline value was the last non-missing value prior to randomization. Change from Baseline was calculated/defined as value at the indicated visit minus value at the Baseline. A negative value of change in score from Baseline indicated improvement in severity of symptoms. If participants discontinued before or on Day 5, then the clinical scoring index collected at the early withdrawal visit was included in the Visit 2. Otherwise, the clinical scoring index collected at the early withdrawal visit was included in the Visit 3

At Visit 3 (Day 8), participant/parent and investigator were asked to evaluate efficacy globally as very beneficial=1, beneficial=2, no effect=3 or worse=4. The global evaluation collected at the early withdrawal visit was included in the Visit 3. If participants were discontinued at Visit 2, then the global evaluation collected at the Visit 2 is also included in the Visit 3 for summary and analysis.