Baseline characteristics of both groups
| Aminophylline (n = 81) | Placebo (n = 82) | |
|---|---|---|
| Median (range) age (months) | 76.2 (12.9–237.8) | 74.2 (13.8–234.1) |
| Sex (male) | 43 (53%) | 46 (56%) |
| Pulmonary function tests | (n = 27) | (n = 21) |
| Mean (SD) FVC% | 51.4 (19.0) | 51.8 (19.7) |
| Mean (SD) FEV1% | 35.5 (17.9) | 38.5 (14.4) |
| Median (range) MMEF% | 14.0 (6.3–87.5) | 19.4 (12.1–47.4) |
| Mean (SD) PEFR% | 38.7 (13.5) | 43.9 (14.6) |
| Median (range) Sao 2 | 88% (75–100%) | 89.5% (75–100%) |
| Median (range) asthma severity score | 8 (4–9) | 8 (4–9) |
| Mean (SD) heart rate | 166 (23.3) | 168 (22.0) |
| Median (range) respiratory rate | 42 (14–84) | 40 (12–91) |
| Past history | ||
| Episodic asthma | 26 (32%) | 22 (39%) |
| Persistent asthma | 52 (64%) | 50 (61%) |
| Regular β2 agonists | 24 (30%) | 21 (26%) |
| Cromoglycate | 13 (16%) | 10 (12%) |
| Inhaled steroids | 40 (49%) | 33 (40%) |
| Oral steroids | 2 (2%) | 3 (4%) |
FVC, forved vital capacity; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one minute; MMEF, maximum mid-expiratory flow; PEFR, peak expiratory flow rate.