TO COMPARE THE EFFICACY, TOLERABILITY AND PATIENT ACCEPTABILITY OF BAMBUTEROL AGAINST BORAGE PLUS ECHIUM (BOTANICAL SEED OIL) IN CHRONIC ASTHMA.

Introduction: Asthma achronic inflammatory disorder, highly prevalent to all ages, is characterized by cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, wheezing and impairment in physical activities. Bambuterol, long acting ß2-agonist reduces the frequency of recurrent episodes of bronchospasm while Borage and Echium Seed Oil inhibit leukotriene's generation and compete with arachidonic acid, thus decreasing the inflammatory process. Objective:To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of Bambuterol and Borage plus Echiumseed oil in chronic persistent asthma. Method & Materials: An interventional study, approved by the BASR, University of Karachi. Group-A, Bambuterol once daily, orally at bed time and Group B, Borage seed oil 1.3 gram daily plus Echium seed oil 500 mg twice daily, orally for 90 days. One hundred and twenty registered patients, diagnosed with chronic persistent asthma 60 in each group, completed study period. Results were compared by Spirometry, PEFR, daily symptoms Diary Card and Clinical Questionnaires and were evaluated statistically. Results: Group-A at day-90, percentage change of FEV1 4.7%, FVC 5.9%, PEFR7.1%. Group-B, FEV14.7%, FVC 2.19%, PEFR 4.1%, all results are statistically highly significant. Symptom improvement, reduction in night sleep awakening and decreased need of recue medicines in all groups were highly significant. Drug safety was determined by adverse effects and blood assay of serum levels of Alkaline Phosphatase, SGPT, Cholesterol, HDL and LDL while compliance of drug was checked by follow up at day-30, 60 and 90 and in between daily symptom dairy card. Conclusion: Improvement reported by mean of reduced severity, improved clinical symptoms & quality of life and no serious adverse effects, results are highly significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]