Budesonide-treated asthmatic adolescents attain target height: a population-based follow-up study from Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To examine final height in relation to target height in asthmatic patients with and without glucocorticoid treatment while growing up compared with healthy individuals.


METHODS
In 1990 and 1993, questionnaires were distributed to all individuals born in 1974 and 1977 in the counties of Jämtland and Gästrikland in Sweden. All individuals reporting use of anti-asthmatic drugs or symptoms indicating possible obstructive airway disease, and a sample of healthy volunteers were invited to a clinical examination.


RESULTS
Overall, 356 asthmatic patients and 384 healthy individuals were identified. In 1998-1999, all subjects were invited to a follow-up study and final height was analysed in relation to target height in 152 asthmatic patients and 131 healthy individuals. It was found that both men and women achieved a higher mean final height than the calculated mean target height. There were no significant differences between controls and asthma patients treated either with or without glucocorticoids. Most of the patients treated with glucocorticoids started their therapy during adolescence and 92% had used inhaled budesonide. There was no trend towards a decrease in final height in relation to target height when inhaled budesonide treatment was initiated prior to adolescence or with lifelong cumulative dose of inhaled budesonide.


CONCLUSIONS
Asthmatic adolescents treated with inhaled budesonide achieve normal final height in relation to their target height.
Larsson
Lars
L
Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Ostersund Hospital, Ostersund, Sweden.
Gerhardsson de Verdier
Maria
M
Lindmark
Bertil
B
Norjavaara
Ensio
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019819:Budesonide