Daily versus intermittent corticosteroids for the treatment of mild persistent asthma.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways in which inflammation causes bronchial hyper-reactivity and attacks of wheezing, dyspnea and chest tightness that are triggered by various agents. It requires both acute treatment of the paroxistical respiratory symptoms with reliever medications and maintenance treatment, which is aimed at achieving an optimal disease control and consists of controller medications with regimens and dosages that are tailored according to disease severity. Inhaled steroids represent the main controller medication and are recommended to be given even in mild asthma on a daily basis in order to improve lung function, reduce asthma exacerbations and symptoms, and improve the quality of life. Intermittent regimens could also be used and the currently discussed study compares these two regimens in terms of clinical efficacy.
Antoniu
Sabina A
SA
Assistant Lecturer, Clinic of Pulmonary Disease, 30 Dr I Cihac Str, 700115 Iasi, Romania. sabinaantoniu@excite.com
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D019819:Budesonide; C062735:zafirlukast