Effect of reduction of inhaled corticosteroid on bronchial hypersensitivity in asthmatics.
We retrospectively assessed the effect of reduction of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) inhaler (BDI) on bronchial hypersensitivity in asthmatics whose respiratory threshold of histamine (RT-Hist) once reached a normal level of > or = 10 mg/ml with BDI treatment. In a study period of 1988-1992, 19 out of 44 patients had their RT-Hist of > or = 10 mg/ml, and the reduction of BDI was undertaken in 10 cases. Cessation of bronchodilators did not result in the increase of bronchial hypersensitivity in patients undergoing BDI treatment without the dosage change. When BDI was reduced from 8 puffs/day to 4 puffs/day, the RT-Hist did not drop below 5 mg/ml in 6 out of 8 patients (success rate = 75%). When BDI was reduced from 4 puffsday to 2 puffs/day, the success rate was 37.5% (3/8). Cessation of BDI was unsuccessful in 3 patients (0/3). Conversely, the RT-Hist did not drop below 10 mg/ml in all six cases whose BDI was not reduced. This preliminary study suggested that cessation of BDP would be very difficult in most asthmatics, although its reduction would be successful in some cases.
Kawasaki
A
A
First Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Mizushima
Y
Y
Oosaki
R
R
Hoshino
K
K
Kobayashi
M
M
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001507:Beclomethasone