We have compared the effects of three-month periods of treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid, budesonide 600 micrograms twice daily and with placebo on bronchial responses to inhaled histamine and to bronchodilators in a double-blind crossover trial in 14 middle-aged male smokers (mean age, 59.6 years) with mild airways obstruction (mean FEV1 2.42 L, 80 percent predicted [range, 48 to 110 pe...

Background/Aims. Glucocorticoids may have adverse effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The present study was conducted to investigate possible effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of inhaled and oral glucocorticoids in children with asthma. Methods. Two randomised controlled trials with blinded crossover designs were performed. Active treatment was 400  μ g inhaled budesonide o...

It has previously been demonstrated that topical nasal treatment with glucocorticosteroids has significant effects on the bronchial airways. Less is known about effects on nasal disease by topical bronchial treatment with these drugs. The present study examined effects on nasal allergic disease of inhaled budesonide (avoiding nasal deposition of the drug). Patients with seasonal allergic rhinit...

BACKGROUND The budesonide/formoterol combination is successfully used for fast relief of asthma symptoms in addition to its use as maintenance therapy. The temporarily increased corticosteroid dose during increasing inhaler use for symptom relief is likely to suppress any temporary increase in airway inflammation and may mitigate or prevent asthma exacerbations. The relative contribution of the...

AIM To compare the effects of inhaled and systemic steroids on growth in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants with chronic lung disease (CLD). METHODS Sixteen babies with CLD randomly received inhaled budesonide (100 microg four times daily for 10 days via Aerochamber) or systemic steroids (dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg/day, reducing over nine days). Linear growth (lower leg length, LLL) was measure...

Inhaled corticosteroids are known to be effective in persistent asthma, but their long-term effect in mild persistent disease of recent onset, which is particularly relevant in children, requires clarification. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy of regular inhaled low-dose budesonide in children aged <11 yrs with mild persistent asthma with onset within 2 yrs of...

BACKGROUND Poor adherence with inhaled corticosteroids is an important problem in asthma management. Previous approaches to improving adherence have had limited success. AIM To determine whether treatment with a single inhaler containing a long-acting beta(2)-agonist and a corticosteroid for maintenance treatment and symptom relief can overcome the problem of poor adherence with inhaled corti...

This randomised, double-blind, 6-month study compared budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and relief with salmeterol/fluticasone and a fixed maintenance dose of budesonide/formoterol, both with terbutaline for relief. Following a 2-week run-in, 3335 symptomatic adults and adolescents (mean FEV1 73% predicted, mean inhaled corticosteroid dose 745 microg/day) received budesonide/formoterol 160/...

BACKGROUND The Inhaled Steroid Treatment as Regular Therapy in Early Asthma (START) study is a worldwide, randomized, prospective study to investigate early intervention with inhaled corticosteroids in recent-onset mild persistent asthma. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and tolerability of long-term treatment with once-daily budesonide therapy in patients with mild persistent asthma. METHO...

BACKGROUND It is desirable to prescribe the minimal effective dose of inhaled steroids to control asthma. To ensure that inflammation is suppressed whilst using the lowest possible dose, a sensitive and specific method for assessing airway inflammation is needed. METHODS The usefulness of exhaled nitric oxide (NO), sputum eosinophils, and methacholine airway responsiveness (PC20) for monitori...