Possibilities of using ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the complex treatment of children with mild bronchial asthma during the spring pollen season

BACKGROUND: Seasonal asthma exacerbations in children remain a significant problem in pediatrics and allergology. Several studies in the Russian Federation demonstrate the successful use of the ammonium glycyrrhizinate (Reglisam, VIFITECH, Russia) in addition to standard asthma therapy in children during the ARI season. However, no studies have been conducted during the spring pollen season.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ammonium glycyrrhizinate in the combination treatment of children aged 5-17 years with mild asthma during the spring pollen season.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of patients with mild asthma were observed during the pollen season: the main (n=20) and the control (n=20) groups. In the main group, ammonium glycyrrhizinate was added to standard asthma therapy for 18 weeks. Four clinical visits were conducted (Day 1, Week 6, Week 12, Week 18). At each visit, symptoms were assessed using a 4-point visual analog scale, asthma control tests (c-ACT/ACT), and peak flow measurements. From April to May, patients or their parents recorded daily symptoms in diaries.

RESULTS: During the tree pollen season (March-May), the control group demonstrated an increase in daytime and nighttime cough, reaching maximum values at Visit 3 (2.3±0.3 and 1.25±0.08 points, respectively). In the main group the severity of cough remained low and did not exceed 0.9 points (p<0.05). A similar pattern was observed for rhinoconjunctival symptoms: in the main group their severity remained at the level of mild manifestations (≤1.3 points), in the control group they reached moderate severity (up to 2 points). ACT scores in the main group remained stable and corresponded to well-controlled asthma (23.5±0.4 and 24.3±0.8 points at Visits 2 and 3, respectively), in the control group a decrease to 20.4±0.9 points was observed at Visit 3 (p<0.05). The mean duration of allergy symptoms in the main group did not exceed 15 days, in the control group it reached18-25 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Adding ammonium glycyrrhizinate to standard therapy of mild asthma in children during the spring pollen season effectively decreases the severity and duration of bronchial and rhinoconjunctival symptoms, and improves asthma control during periods of high pollen exposure.