title: Effect of long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists on the bronchial responsiveness in children with asthma.
abstract: Airway inflammation is assumed to be an important determinant in increased bronchial responsiveness (BR). We tested the hypothesis that treatment with an inhaled anti-inflammatory drug (i.e., budesonide) but not with an inhaled beta-agonist (i.e., terbutaline) would reduce BR in children with asthma and with minimal or no bronchoconstriction. Twelve patients were treated with budesonide and seven with terbutaline for 6 months. BR decreased in 11 patients receiving budesonide and was significant in seven patients. BR decreased in none of the patients receiving terbutaline. FEV1 demonstrated a small increase with budesonide but remained unchanged with terbutaline. Except in one patient who received terbutaline, the clinical effect was good. We conclude that inhaled corticosteroids but not inhaled beta-agonists will decrease persistent BR in most children with asthma.
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019819:Budesonide; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008688:Methacholine Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D008688:Methacholine Compounds; D011282:Pregnenediones; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D019819:Budesonide; D013726:Terbutaline