Inhaled steroids for bronchiectasis.
BACKGROUND
Bronchiectasis is increasingly recognized as a major cause of respiratory morbidity especially in developing countries and in some ethnic populations of affluent countries. It is characterized by irreversible dilatation of airways, generally associated with chronic bacterial infection. Medical management largely aims to reduce morbidity by controlling the symptoms and by preventing the progression of bronchiectasis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children and adults with bronchiectasis (a) during stable bronchiectasis; and for reducing; (b) the severity and frequency of acute respiratory exacerbations and (c) long term pulmonary decline.


METHODS
The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Airways Group Specialized Register Collaboration and Cochrane Airways Group, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched by the Cochrane Airways Group. The latest searches were performed in September 2007.


METHODS
All randomised controlled trials comparing ICS with a placebo or no medication. Children and adults with clinical or radiographic evidence of bronchiectasis were included, but patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were excluded.


METHODS
Results of searches were reviewed against pre-determined criteria for inclusion.


RESULTS
There were no paediatric studies. Six adult studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the 303 randomised, 278 subjects completed the trials. In the short term group (ICS for less then 6 months duration), adults on huge doses of ICS (2g per day of budesonide equivalent) had significantly improved forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), Quality of life (QOL) score and sputum volume but no significant difference in peak flow, exacerbations, cough or wheeze, when compared to adults in the control arm (no ICS). When only placebo-controlled studies were included, there were no significant difference between groups in all outcomes examined (spirometry, clinical outcomes of exacerbation or sputum volume etc). The single study on long term outcomes showed no significant effect of inhaled steroids in any of the outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The present review indicates that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of inhaled steroids in adults with stable state bronchiectasis. While a therapeutic trial may be justified in adults with difficult to control symptoms and in certain subgroups, this has to be balanced with adverse events especially if high doses are used. No recommendation can be made for the use of ICS in adults during an acute exacerbation or in children (for any state) as there were no studies.
Kapur
Nitin
N
Child Health Division,, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin Uni & Qld Respiratory Childrens Centre, RCH, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. dr_kapurnitin@rediffmail.com
Bell
Scott
S
Kolbe
John
J
Chang
Anne B
AB
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000730:Androstadienes; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone; D001507:Beclomethasone