Objectives: To explore the influence of zafirlukast on pulmonary functions and quality of life (QOL) in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma at the stage of attack and at the stable stage.
Methods: Patients at the stage of attack were randomly divided into two groups: Group one is zafirlukast 20 mg twice daily plus inhaled the half quantity of glucocorticoid(budelade) of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) standard quantity, long-effection aminophyllin 0.2 g twice daily and inhaled salbutamol when necessary; Group two: inhaled budelade of GINA standard quantity, long-effection aminophyllin 0.2 g twice daily and inhaled salbutamol when necessary). Patients' peak expiratory flow (PEF)/PEF predicted value % and delta PEFR% were determined at the second week and the forth week before and after the treatment. On the standard treatment, patients with the stable stage were added zafirlukast 20 mg twice a day. PEF values in the morning and evening and QOL were evaluated.
Results: After treating with zafirlukast, the PEF/PEF predicted value % and delta PEFR% in Group one were higher and lower than those of Group two respevtively. These changes were appeared in two days and were peaked in two weeks and the peak had been gone on for more than 4 weeks, but these were no significant difference between the Groups (P > 0.05); PEF values in the morning and evening in patients with the stable asthma increased 5.9% and 4.6% respectively and their QOL were improved in asthma symptoms, limitative activities, avoiding stimuli, and reacting on stimuli.
Conclusion: Zafirlukast can improve pulmonary function, reduce the inhalation quantity of steroid in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, and play an important role in treating and improving QOL in patients with the stable asthma.