OBJECTIVE: There are many settings in which a spacer device is not available for the administration of bronchodilator. Therefore, we tested whether a paper disposable cup is as effective as a commercially produced spacer to administer bronchodilator. METHODOLOGY: Randomised controlled trial. 50 subjects aged 16 to 50 years who had wheeze and a greater than 10% decrease in FEV1 after histamine inhalation test (HIT). Subjects were randomised to either the150ml paper disposable cup group (CUP) or the commercially produced spacer group (SPACER). Twenty minutes after 400mg salbutamol was administered FEV1 was measured. The recovery index measured post-bronchodilator FEV1 as a percentage of baseline FEV1. Also, analysis of covariance tested whether recovery of FEV1 was related to the magnitude of the fall following the HIT. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between CUP and SPACER groups in any characteristics. There was no difference for the recovery index (t48 = 1.14, p = 0.26). Regression analyses showed that the relation between the magnitude of the fallin FEV1 during the HIT and the percent recovery was not different between the CUP and SPACER groups (t = -1.2, p < 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: A paper disposable cup was effective for the reversal of mild to moderate broncho constriction. Therefore, a paper disposable cup can be used for the first-aid management of asthma when there is concern about cross-infection and a commercially produced spacer is not available.

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