Table 2. Results of RCTs comparing aminophylline to β2 adrenergic agonist.
| Author, sample size | Loading (mg/kg) | Infusion (mg/kg/h) | Resolution of symptoms | Intubation | Discharge criteria | Actual Discharge | Adverse effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler 2005 [25] n = 40 (Am n = 13, β2 n = 16, both n = 11) | 6.4 | 0.64 to 0.96 | Time to reach CAS ≤3 24.2±12.1h vs 51.6±33.3h p<0.05 | No patients required mechanical ventilation | Not measured | Not reported | NS in the median number of adverse effects, higher incidence of nausea in combined group |
| Roberts 2003 [34] n = 44 (Am n = 26 β2 n = 18) | 5 | 0.9 | Change in ASS over 2 hours -1.19±1.3 vs -1.11±1.7 p = 0.85 | 1/26 vs 2/18 in salbutamol p>0.05 | Not measured | Time to discharge in aminophylline vs. salbutamol 57.3h±43.3 vs. 85.4h±56.0 p = 0.02 | Adverse effects In aminophylline group vs. salbutamol 22.2% vs. 36% p = 0.50 |
| Singhi 2011 [35] n = 100 (Am n = 33, β2 n = 33, MgSO4 n = 34) | 5 | 0.9 | number of participants with improvement in CAS at 1h ≥4 am, ter, 5 vs. 5 p = 0.002 | Not reported | Not measured | Not reported | None in Mg group, 2 patients in terbutaline group had hypokalaemia and 9 in am group had nausea/vomiting |
| Hambleton 1979 [27] n = 18 | 4 | 0.6 | Change in asthma score at 24 hours 4.5 vs 4.0 in p>0.05 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | Higher rates of tachycardia in salbutamol group |
Am aminophylline, β2 beta 2 agonist, ASS asthma severity score, MgSO4 magnesium sulphate CAS/PI clinical asthma score/pulmonary index. Sizes of intervention vs. control groups were not reported in Hambleton 1979