Predicting Response to Inhaled Steroids in Asthma

The response to inhaled corticosteroids is inadequate in about 30% of patients with persistent asthma. In this NIH-funded study, researchers sought to determine whether short-term response to inhaled steroids predicts longer-term response.

Seventy-two asthmatic adults (age range, 18–55) with a baseline FEV₁ of 55% to 85% participated; none had used inhaled or systemic steroids during the previous month. In the study’s first phase, all patients received 6 weeks of inhaled beclomethasone, and treatment response was assessed using spirometry and other measurements. In the second phase, all patients were randomized to receive 4 months of inhaled beclomethasone or placebo. Among 39 first-phase responders (defined as >5% increase in FEV₁), asthma …