Relative oral corticosteroid-sparing effect of 7 inhaled corticosteroids in chronic asthma: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The relative efficacy of various inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) for oral corticosteroid (OCS)-sparing effect in asthma is not known. To our knowledge, no randomized controlled trial directly comparing 2 ICSs has been reported, but several randomized controlled trials have reported comparison of various ICSs with placebo.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct an adjusted indirect comparison of 7 ICSs for their OCS-sparing effect.


METHODS
PubMed and bibliographies of relevant articles. Eighteen placebo-controlled randomized trials of 7 ICSs were analyzed using a random-effect model. Pooled benefit ratios (BRs) (ICS/placebo) for elimination of OCS and weighted mean differences (ICS - placebo) for OCS dose change by each ICS vs placebo were determined. Pairwise adjusted indirect comparisons of various ICSs were then made.


RESULTS
For OCS elimination, all ICSs were more effective than placebo (BR: mometasone, 17.2; budesonide, 8.2; beclomethasone and fluticasone, 5.4; triamcinolone, 4.6; ciclesonide, 2.8; and flunisolide, 2.2). On pairwise adjusted indirect comparison, the BR of mometasone was significantly higher than that of triamcinolone (P = .02), ciclesonide (P = .01), and flunisolide (P = .01) and that of budesonide was significantly higher than that of ciclesonide (P = .02) and flunisolide (P = .03). For OCS dose change, beclomethasone achieved a significantly lower final mean OCS dose than fluticasone or flunisolide (P < .001). In all other comparisons, the differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
All ICSs studied were significantly more effective than placebo for OCS sparing, but mometasone seemed to be more effective than others. However, because of very few trials for some ICSs, more placebo-controlled trials for adjusted indirect comparison or randomized trials for direct comparison of these ICSs are needed for definitive conclusions.
Abdullah
Anwar K
AK
Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation, Petersburg, Virginia, USA. anwar.abdullah@vcbr.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov
Khan
Salman
S
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones