It is difficult to know whether asthmatic child can inhale DSCG solution effectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate inhalation procedure among them by measuring the amount of urinary excretion of DSCG. Next, based on their urinary excretion rate for DSCG, we tried to educate the children who did not inhale the solution efficiently.
The rate of urinary excretion of DSCG was less than 1% in 17 out of 26 patients. Twelve (80%) of 15 patients between the ages of 3 and 7 years and 5 (45%) of 11 patients of 8 years of age and older had a rate of urinary excretion of DSCG less than 1%, which is almost a significant difference (p=0.103). Sixteen (84%) of 19 patients who inhaled distractingly and 1 (14%) of 7 patients who concentrated on inhalation had a rate of urinary excretion of DSCG that was less than 1%, which is significantly different (p=0.005). Nine patients of 17 who showed urinary excretion of DSCG less than 1% were evaluated again after receiving instruction about the inhalation technique. All of these cases showed an increase in the urinary excretion of DSCG.
Measuring the rate of urinary excretion of DSCG made it possible to evaluate whether or not the patients inhaled DSCG effectively, to detect the patients who needed education about inhalation therapy and to determine the effectiveness of the education.