[Prospective observational study of clinical course after stopping inhaled corticosteroids in child asthma].
BACKGROUND
Prospective study was carried out to observe the clinical course and find out the clinical index to predict the outcome after stopping of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).


METHODS
One hundred twelve asthmatic children (aged 12.9+/-9.6 years old) who were totally controlled with 100 microg/day of inhaled corticosteroids and have not experienced asthma symptom over 3 months, were enrolled.


METHODS
Patients with over PC20 0.5 mg/mL of methacholine challenge test (MCT) were recommended to stop ICS therapy. Clinical course, lung function and bronchial hyperreactivity were followed at 7, 16 and 24 months after stopping of ICS.


RESULTS
Eighty-one percent of 63 patients followed up to 24 months run on as symptom less than one time per month without remarkable change of lung function. PC20 in group of no asthma symptom during 24 months (group A) decreased weakly. That of other groups decreased remarkably. Days using ICS and plasma IgE antibody at stopping of ICS were different in clinical course at 24 months after stopping ICS.


CONCLUSIONS
Over 80% of totally controlled asthmatic children with MCT PC20 over 0.5 mg/mL could stop ICS therapy and run on without relapse.
Akasawa
Akira
A
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan. akasawa-a@ncchd.go.jp
Suda
Tomoko
T
Akashi
Masayuki
M
Narita
Masami
M
Ohya
Yukihiro
Y
Manki
Akemi
A
Watanabe
Hiroko
H
Kumaki
Miyuki
M
Matsumoto
Kenji
K
Saito
Hirohisa
H
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones