Meta-analysis on the Efficacy and Side effect of Inhaled Corticosteroids for Adult and Adolescent Asthma

Abstract

Objective To assess the efficacy and side effect of inhaled corticosteroids for adult and adolescent asthma. Methods According to the requirements of Cochrane systematic review, a thorough literature search was performed among PUBMED, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and so on. By RevMan 4.2software, a meta analysis was performed on a total of 2356 patients involved in 13 papers which met with the inclusion criteria. Results The literatures of morning and evening peak expiratory flow(PEF) and forced vital capacity(FVC) and the occurrence of indisposition of pharyngeal portion had homogeneity. The literatures of forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)and FEV1 percent predicted(FEV1 %)and the occurrence of adverse events and ineffective of treatment had heterogeneity. Comparing the treatment groups with the control groups, the incorporation of FEV1 、FEV1% 、morning PEF and the occurrence of adverse events and ineffective of treatment were statistically significant. While the other three incorporations of FVC and evening PEF and the occurrence of indisposition of pharyngeal portion were not. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable and reliable. The results of publication bias showed that the impact was small, and the results was reliable.Conclusion The clinical evidences available so far indicated that the treatment of adult and adolescent asthma with inhaled corticosteroids is effective and has less side effect, although rigorous design and large sample size randomized double-blind clinical trials are required to further analysis for more stable and reliable results. Key words: Meta analysis; Inhaled corticosteroids; Asthma; Efficacy; Side effect