Table 2.
Primary Study Outcomes
| Outcome | Treatment Group (n=260) |
Control Group (n=263) |
Difference (95% CI) or RR (95% CI)a |
P Valuea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms in peak winter season, November-February, mean (SD) | ||||
| Symptom-free days/2 wk | 11.6 (2.5) | 10.7 (3.1) | 0.92 (0.50 to 1.33)b | <.001 |
| Symptom nights/2 wk | 1.7 (2.2) | 2.3 (2.5) | −0.68 (−1.01 to −0.35)b | <.001 |
| Days with activity limitation/2 wk | 1.3 (2.0) | 1.8 (2.3) | −0.47 (−0.78 to −0.16)b | .003 |
| Days with rescue medication use/2 wk | 1.6 (2.2) | 2.6 (2.7) | −1.06 (−1.41 to −0.72)b | <.001 |
| Days absent due to asthma/2 wk | 0.3 (0.7) | 0.5 (0.7) | −0.17 (−0.28 to −0.06)b | .002 |
| Visits for asthma, No. (%)c | ||||
| Emergency department visit | 13 (5) | 19 (7) | 0.60 (0.28 to 1.30)d | .20 |
| Acute office visit | 23 (9) | 33 (12) | 0.74 (0.44 to 1.22)d | .23 |
| Hospitalization | 0 | 2 (1) | NA | .67e |
| Acute exacerbationf | 31 (12) | 49 (18) | 0.64 (0.41 to 1.00)d | .05 |
Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; NA, not applicable; RR, relative risk.
a
Results of the multivariate analysis are adjusted for baseline symptoms, child’s age, sex, race, caregiver’s education, insurance, maternal depression, and smoke exposure.
b
Values are expressed as difference (95% CI).
c
Defined as a visit to the emergency department, office, or hospital where prednisone was prescribed, during the entire study period (n=525).
d
Values are expressed as RR (95% CI).
e
Estimate is from exact logistic regression.
f
Any visit for asthma where prednisone was prescribed.