Group comparisons of quality of life score and spirometry changes from week 1 to week 16 and of inhaler technique at week 16
| Immediate, n = 81; mean (SD) or n (%) | Delayed, n = 92; mean (SD) or n (%) | Weighted difference (95% CI) | p | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *n (%). †Excludes 6 children (2 immediate, 4 delayed) not regularly using inhalers. FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity; MEF25–75, mid-expiratory flow rate. | ||||||||
| Quality of life score change (week 16 minus week 1) | ||||||||
| Overall | 0.30 (1.19) | 0.23 (0.98) | 0.20 (−0.20 to 0.61) | 0.32 | ||||
| Activity limitation | 0.27 (1.45) | 0.11 (1.25) | 0.20 (−0.43 to 0.84) | 0.53 | ||||
| Symptoms | 0.32 (1.39) | 0.28 (1.12) | 0.23 (−0.23 to 0.70) | 0.33 | ||||
| Emotional function | 0.29 (1.31) | 0.23 (1.16) | 0.17 (−0.18 to 0.52) | 0.35 | ||||
| Spirometry changes (week 16 minus week 1) | ||||||||
| FEV1 (% predicted) | −1.7 (8.3) | −1.2 (10.6) | −0.4 (−2.8 to 2.0) | 0.74 | ||||
| FVC (% predicted) | −0.5 (8.6) | 0.1 (9.3) | 0.0 (−2.8 to 2.7) | 0.98 | ||||
| MEF25–75 (% predicted) | −3.0 (14.4) | −1.9 (19.6) | −0.5 (−6.1 to 5.0) | 0.85 | ||||
| Inhaler technique (week 16)† | ||||||||
| Correct | 44 (56%)* | 13 (15%)* | 41% (29% to 54%) | <0.001 | ||||
| Correct and partially correct | 66 (84%)* | 35 (40%)* | 49% (24% to 73%) | <0.001 | ||||