Long-term Use Of Inhaled Corticosteroids Research Articles

Inhaled corticosteroids is not associated with the risk of pneumonia in asthma.

The introduction of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for the management of asthma has led to a decrease in acute exacerbation of asthma. However, there are concerns regarding the safety of long-term ICS use, particularly pneumonia. Growing evidence indicates that ICS use is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whereas the risk in patients with asthma remains unclear. This review discusses the effect of ICS on pneumonia among patients with asthma to update the existing literature. Asthma is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this association, including that asthma impairs the clearance of bacteria owing to chronic inflammation. Therefore, controlling airway inflammation with ICS may prevent the occurrence of pneumonia in asthma. In addition, two meta-analyses investigating randomized control trials showed that ICS use was associated with a protective effect against pneumonia in asthma.

Effect of inhaled corticosteroids on bone mineral density in patients with asthma.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are a safe treatment for asthma. However, at higher doses, ICS use has been reported to inhibit adrenocortical function. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ICS on bone mineral density (BMD) in adult patients with asthma. Ultrasonic bone densitometry was performed in 40 patients (14 men, 26 women, mean age 61.2 years, mean duration of asthma 6.19 years) who were receiving ICS for asthma, and the whole bone density, thickness of cortical bone, and density of cancellous bone of the radius was measured. The age-matched mean was set as 100%. Lifetime cumulative dose of ICS was calculated using all past prescriptions. No significant correlations were observed between lifetime cumulative ICS dose and whole bone density (r² = 0.011), cortical bone thickness (r² = 0.022), and cancellous bone density (r² = 0.004). No significant differences were observed between lower and higher lifetime cumulative ICS dose among these BMD parameters (104% vs 97%, 103% vs 99%, and 106% vs 91%, respectively). No significant correlations or differences in lifetime cumulative ICS dose were observed by asthma severity, asthma duration, and pulmonary function. Also, serum markers of bone metabolism showed no significant correlations or differences with lifetime cumulative ICS dose. In the entire study population, long-term ICS use was safe and was not associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Dose-dependent association between inhaled corticosteroid use and risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome in asthma.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely prescribed medications. Some studies have reported that ICS may suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and induce systemic effects. Objective: To explore the possibility of a dose-dependent association between the long-term use of ICS and the risk of obesity and other markers of metabolic syndrome. Methods: A 5-year retrospective two-arm cohort study explored patients on asthma and not on ICS relative to patients with asthma who were on varying doses of ICS (low, medium, and high) and attributes such as body mass index (BMI) trajectory and prescription of antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and cholesterol-lowering medications. Results: A total of 229 subjects with asthma were in the control cohort, and 215 subjects with asthma were in the ICS cohort. The ICS cohort was subdivided into individuals on low- (n = 88), medium- (n = 107), or high- (n = 20) dose ICS throughout the 5-year study period. For every 1-year increase in time, the BMI in the high-dose ICS group increased at a rate of 0.25 kg/m² when compared with the subjects in the control group after controlling for age and gender. Also, for every 1-year increase in time, the BMI of those on medium-dose ICS increased by 0.06 kg/m² compared with those in the control group after controlling for age and gender. The subjects on ICS also had a statistically increased risk of being prescribed antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and cholesterol-lowering medications. Conclusion: ICS use in the subjects with asthma was associated with a dose-dependent risk of increasing BMI trajectories over time and an increased requirement for antidiabetic and cholesterol-lowering medications. One possible conclusion from this study is that long-term medium- and high-dose ICS have the potential to induce systemic effects.

Local Adverse Drug Reactions in Ambulatory Asthma Patients Treated With Inhaled Corticosteroids: An Experience from a South Indian Teaching Hospital

Background:Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have an essential and established role in the treatment of asthma. Both systemic and local adverse effects may accompany the long-term use of ICS. Systemic adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of ICS are well established. However, there is a pau-city of information on local ADRs, especially in the Indian population.Objectives:This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, predictability, and preventabil-ity of local ADRs to ICS and their associated risk factors.Methods:Patients with asthma who need ICS were enrolled. Study patients were interviewed with open-ended questions to assess local ADRs to ICS at baseline and each follow-up visit, once a month for three months. Causality (Naranjo’s algorithm and WHO scale), severity (Hartwig SC scale), predictability (based on the frequency of occurrence of ADR and history of drug exposure), and preventability (Schumock and Thornton criteria) of local ADRs were assessed. Bivariate analy-sis and subsequently multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the risk factors for local ADRs to ICS.Results:A total of 243 patients (134 female) were included in the study. A total of 74 local ADRs were observed in 59 patients (a prevalence of 24.3%). The most common local ADRs included the feeling of thirst (14.8%), followed by cough during inhalation (8.6%) and taste disturbance (4.5%). All ADRs were predictable and mild in severity. Preventability assessment found 85.1% of local ADRs as ‘probably preventable’. Two out of five patients who had ADRs reduced or skipped doses because of the discomfort, despite their physician’s recommendation to continue their regular dose of ICS. Age >41 years, use of MDI without spacer, and use of budesonide were identified as the risk factors for developing ADRs to ICS.Conclusion:Local ADRs to ICS were observed in approximately one in four patients with asthma. Two out of five patients who had ADRs reduced or skipped doses. Strategies to prevent local ADRs to ICS should focus on patients aged >41 years, receiving budesonide, and using MDI without a spacer. We need to establish standards on the best practices for preventing ADRs, such as identify-ing the most suited device or ICS that is best tolerated by the individual patient and identifying the least ICS dose that maintains ideal asthma control.

Systematic review on long-term adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of COPD.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are indicated for the prevention of exacerbations in COPD; however, a significant proportion of patients at low risk of exacerbations are treated with ICSs. We conducted a systematic review including a diversity of types of study designs and safety outcomes with the objective of describing the risk of adverse effects associated with the long-term use of ICSs in patients with COPD.A total of 90 references corresponding to 83 studies were included, including 26 randomised clinical trials (RCTs), 33 cohort studies, and 24 nested case-control (NCC) studies. Analysis of 19 RCTs showed that exposure to ICSs for ≥1 year increased the risk of pneumonia by 41% (risk ratio 1.41, 95% CI 1.23-1.61). Additionally, cohort and NCC studies showed an association between ICSs and risk of tuberculosis and mycobacterial disease. There was a strong association between ICS use and local disorders such as oral candidiasis and dysphonia. The association between ICSs and the risk of diabetes and fractures was less clear and appeared significant only at high doses of ICSs.Since most patients with COPD are elderly and with frequent comorbidities, an adequate risk-benefit balance is crucial for the indication of ICSs.

Evaluating the association of osteoporosis with inhaled corticosteroid use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Taiwan

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation and osteoporosis is the major comorbidity associated with poor prognosis in COPD. However, the effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on bone mineral density among COPD remains uncertain. There is the urgent need to examine whether the long-term ICS use may increase the risk of osteoporosis. In this nested case–control study retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2002 to 2017, the study aimed to investigate risk of osteoporosis associated with ICS, focusing on the dosage and duration of ICS therapy. Cases with osteoporosis or osteoporotic fractures claims were defined and matched to 3 randomly selected controls. Conditional logistic regressions were used to estimate odds ratios of osteoporosis from ICS treatment measured in 3 years before the index date. This population-based study included 891,395 patients with COPD, where after matching had 58,048 case groups and 174,144 matched control groups. After adjusting for potential confounders, ICS use in COPD was associated with a 1.053-fold (95% confidence interval 1.020–1.087) increased osteoporosis risk, where 7892 (13.59%) ICS use in case and 22,580 (12.97%) in control. New ICS use in COPD patients is associated with increased osteoporosis risk, regardless of exposure period.

Oral health status of asthmatic children using inhaled corticosteroids.

Due to the increase in the prevalence of asthma, especially in childhood, oral health problems arising from the use of asthma medications have become a major health concern. Inhaled corticosteroids are widely used since they are the cornerstone of asthma management. This study aimed to investigate the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on oral health and various factors regarding active ingredients in inhalers, inhaler-spacer device use, rinsing the mouth after administration of inhaler, oral hygiene practices and parents` education on dental caries susceptibility in young children with asthma. Children with asthma who were treated with inhaled corticosteroids for at least 6 months were included in the study. A questionnaire related to demographic characteristics and oral health practices of children was conducted with parents and the children were examined using a dental mirror and probe under dental unit lighting after air-drying the teeth. Oral health status was evaluated in 115 children, 54 (42-66) months old, 61% male and 39% female with determination of dmft-dmfs, DMFT-DMFS, ICDAS II, plaque index and gingival index. No statistically significant difference was found between sugar-containing and sugar-free inhalers, duration of inhaled corticosteroid use, inhaler-spacer device use, rinsing the mouth after administration of inhaler and dmft-dmfs, DMFT-DMFS, plaque and gingival index (p > 0.05). Long-term inhaled corticosteroid use was significantly associated with oral candidiasis (p=0.029). Also, the results showed that mothers` educational level had a significant effect on children`s oral health (p < sub > dmft/dmfs < /sub > < 0.001; p < sub > gingival index < /sub > =0.049; p < sub > plaque index < /sub > =0.005). Due to the effect of immunosuppression, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids enhances the risk of development of the opportunistic pathogen candida. Regular dental visits and preventive dental treatments are needed in these patients for healthy oral status.

A comparison of childhood asthma case definitions based on parent-reported data

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare research definitions of childhood asthma based on parent-reported data. MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, prospective cohort study of 921 infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Follow-up was conducted via biannual parent interviews. Asthma definitions were developed using parent-reported data: clinician diagnosis by the age of 5 years (“broad definition”), clinician diagnosis by the age of 5 years with either asthma medication use or asthma symptoms during the age of 4–4.9 years (“epidemiologic definition”), clinician diagnosis by the age of 5 years with either long-term inhaled corticosteroid use or asthma symptoms during the age of 4–4.9 years (“strict definition”), and a “flexible definition” met by any two of the three criteria in the epidemiologic definition. Asthma outcome definitions were evaluated using unadjusted associations with known major asthma risk factors and validated against the medical record in a subset (n = 116). ResultsAsthma prevalence for the broad definition was 294 of 875 (34%); epidemiologic definition, 235 of 859 (27%); strict definition, 229 of 859 (27%); and flexible definition, 364 of 826 (44%). Risk factors had similarly strong associations with definitions that required clinician diagnosis and weaker associations with the flexible definition. The epidemiologic and strict definitions had the highest specificity (96%) and positive predictive value (92%). ConclusionsThe parent report of clinician-diagnosed asthma correlates well with known asthma risk factors.

The Clinical Course of Asthma After Withdrawal of Inhaled Corticosteroids

Maintenance of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) is recommended in adults with asthma. However, adherence rates in patients with mild asthma and side effects of long-term ICS use can lead to withdrawal. To analyze the real-world outcomes of ICS withdrawal by analyzing data from the Korean National Health Insurance database. Based on claims data from the National Health Insurance of Korea between 2011 and 2014, we identified patients diagnosed with asthma without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or long-term systemic steroid use who had an ICS medication possession rate of more than 50% in a year. We compared patients who received ICS consistently (maintenance group) with patients who had no ICS prescription for more than 6 months (withdrawal group). We evaluated exacerbation leading to prescription of systemic steroid and emergency department visit or hospitalization. Excluding patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and long-term systemic steroid users, we identified 145,511 patients for the asthma cohort (mean age, 60.0 years; ever-smoker, 63.5%): 132,175 maintained ICS and 13,336 withdrew ICS for more than 6 months. Only 71 patients (0.5%) experienced exacerbation leading to an emergency department visit or hospitalization in the withdrawal group. ICS was restarted within 1 year for 33.6% of the withdrawal group, and 90% of these patients restarted ICS within 158 days. This nationwide study of patients with asthma, characterized by a high proportion of elderly and smokers, showed that ICS withdrawal in about 10% of patients appeared to confer relatively minimal harm and exacerbation leading to hospitalization was not common. Further prospective studies are warranted to carefully explore the safety of ICS withdrawal in younger, nonsmoking, and well-controlled patients with asthma.

Effects of long-term inhaled corticosteroid treatment on fragility fractures in older women: the Manitoba BMD registry study.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are frequently used in older women with chronic respiratory diseases. There is insufficient evidence regarding the association between long-term ICS use and the risk of fragility fractures in this population. We used linked Manitoba health administrative databases and the provincial bone mineral density (BMD) registry (1996-2013) to identify women ≥ 40years of age with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) within 3years preceding the baseline BMD test. We followed them until the first major osteoporotic fracture or end of study, whichever came first. ICS use, stratified by exposure tertiles, was measured within the 12-month period following the baseline BMD test (by total days and quantity, primary outcome), and over the entire follow-up period (by medication possession ratio (MPR) and average annual dose, secondary outcome). The hazard ratio of fracture with ICS use was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model, controlling for baseline determinants of fracture. Of 6880 older women with asthma (38%) or COPD (62%), 810 (12%) experienced a major osteoporotic fracture over a mean follow-up of 7.7years (SD = 3.9). ICS use at any tertile was not associated with an increased risk of fracture (dispensed days, p = 0.90; dispensed quantity, p = 0.67). Similarly, ICS use at any tertile during the entire follow-up period was not associated with an increased risk of fracture (MPR, p = 0.62; average annual dose, p = 0.58). Our findings do not support an increased risk of major osteoporotic fracture in older women with chronic respiratory diseases due to long-term ICS use.

Inhaled Corticosteroid Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Boon or Bane?

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-based therapy is often used for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, this approach is under scrutiny because of ICS overuse in patients for whom it is not recommended and because of concerns about adverse events, particularly pneumonia, with long-term ICS use. Evidence suggests ICS may be beneficial in specific patients, namely, those with high blood eosinophil counts (eg, ≥300 cells/µL) or who are at a high risk of exacerbations. According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2020 ABCD assessment tool, these patients belong in group D. For these patients, recommended initial treatment includes ICS in combination with long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) when blood eosinophil counts are ≥300cells/µL or LABA + long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) when patients are highly symptomatic, that is, with greater dyspnea and/or exercise limitation. Follow-up treatments for patients with persistent dyspnea and/or exacerbations may include LABA + ICS, LABA + LAMA, or LABA + LAMA + ICS, with use of ICS being guided by blood eosinophil counts. In this review, differences in the inflammatory mechanism underlying COPD and asthma and the role of ICS treatment in COPD are summarized. Furthermore, findings from recent clinical trials where use of ICS-based dual or triple therapy in COPD was compared with LABA + LAMA therapy and trials in which ICS withdrawal was evaluated in patients with COPD are reviewed. Finally, a step-by-step guide for ICS withdrawal in patients who are unlikely to benefit from this treatment is proposed. A video of the author discussing the overall takeaway of the review article could be downloaded from the link provided: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq7Sr5jqPDI.

Con: Inhaled corticosteroids should not be used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are frequently used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, recent evidence indicates that the routine use of ICS in patients with COPD should be re-examined. Objectives: (1) To review the evidence about the risks of ICS in patients with COPD, and (2) to provide considerations for patients in whom ICS should not be used. Methods: A thorough review of the key literature that evaluates the risks of the use of ICS in patients with COPD. Results: The data that support the use of ICS as part of combination therapy in patients with COPD showed that, in some patients, these ICS can reduce exacerbations, improve lung function, and lessen breathlessness. However, there is a substantial body of evidence that demonstrates the increased risk of pneumonia, cataracts, osteoporosis, adrenal insufficiency, and other complications from the long-term use of ICS. This mounting collection of evidence of adverse events as a result of ICS is a reason to be hesitant about prescribing these medications in patients with COPD. Conclusion: The risks of ICS must be carefully weighed against the benefits when ICS are used as part of a long-term inhaled therapy regimen for patients with COPD. Prescribers should carefully consider the utility of these medications and consider stopping them when no longer indicated so to minimize the risks that patients are exposed to as a result of ICS.

The Frequency and Risk Factors for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Adult Asthma Patients Using Inhaled Corticosteroids.

Worldwide, asthma is a major health problem and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of asthma treatment. High-dose and long-term use of ICS can result in some side effects. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of oral and systemic candidiasis infections in adult asthma patients using ICS, and to identify possible risk factors. This study included 186 randomly selected adult asthma patients that presented to allergy clinic between May 2011 and September 2012. Among the patients, 147 (79%) were female. The lifelong incidence of oral candidiasis was 19.4% (n=36), whereas 5.38% (n=10) of the patients already had it by the time of the study. The lifelong incidence of any fungal infection was 59.7% (n=111). There weren't any significant differences in gender, age, age at onset of asthma, oral hygiene, atopy, or comorbid diseases between the oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC)-positive and -negative groups. A history of persistent rhinitis, use of a leukotriene receptor antagonist together with ICS, and use of ciclesonide as an ICS were associated with a higher incidence of OPC. In the present study the incidence of OPC in adult asthma patients was quite high, but no definitive risk factors were identified. Further studies are needed to distinguish these individual differences.

Long-term use of inhaled glucocorticoids in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and risk of bone fractures: a narrative review of the literature.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) demonstrate a greater osteoporosis prevalence than the general population. This osteoporosis risk may be enhanced by treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), which are recommended for COPD management when combined with long-acting bronchodilators, but may also be associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). We conducted a narrative literature review reporting results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of an ICS versus placebo over a treatment period of at least 12 months, with the aim of providing further insight into the link between bone fractures and ICS therapy. As of 16 October 2017, we identified 17 RCTs for inclusion. The ICSs studied were budesonide (six studies), fluticasone propionate (five studies), mometasone furoate (three studies), beclomethasone dipropionate, triamcinolone acetonide, and fluticasone furoate (one each). We found no difference in the number of bone fractures among patients receiving ICSs versus placebo across the six identified RCTs reporting fracture data. BMD data were available for subsets of patients in few studies, and baseline BMD data were rare; where these data were given, they were reported for treatment groups without stratification for factors known to affect BMD. Risk factors for reduced BMD and fractures, such as smoking and physical activity, were also often not reported. Furthermore, a standardized definition of the term “fracture” was not employed across these studies. The exact relationship between long-term ICS use and bone fracture incidence in patients with stable COPD remains unclear in light of our review. We have, however, identified several limiting factors in existing studies that may form the basis of future RCTs designed specifically to explore this relationship.

Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of upper respiratory tract infection in patients with asthma: a meta-analysis.

Recent studies have suggested a possible association between respiratory infection and the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). We aimed to ascertain the risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) with long-term inhaled corticosteroid use among patients with asthma. Through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from inception to May 2018, we included randomized controlled trials of any ICS vs. a control treatment for asthma, with reporting of URTI as an adverse event. We conducted meta-analyses by the Peto approaches to generate summary estimates comparing ICS with non-ICS treatment on the risk of URTI. Seventeen trials (15,336 subjects) were included. Compared with non-ICS treatment, ICSs were associated with a significantly increased risk of URTI (Peto OR, 1.24; 95% CI 1.08-1.42; I2 = 5%, p = 0.002). Subgroup analyses were performed for different dose, both high- and low-dose ICSs were associated with a significantly increased risk of URTI (high dose: Peto OR, 1.46; 95% CI 1.05-2.03; I2 = 0%; p = 0.03) (low dose: Peto OR, 1.20; 95% CI 1.04-1.39; I2 = 25%; p = 0.01). Moreover, fluticasone was observed with an increased risk of URTI (Peto OR, 1.18; 95% CI 1.02-1.38; p = 0.03; heterogeneity: I2 = 21%) but not budesonide, low-dose fluticasone treatment was associated with a significantly higher risk of URTI but not high dose. This study raises safety concerns about the risk of URTI associated with ICS use in patients with asthma, but it should be further investigated.

Long-term Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids in COPD and the Risk of Fracture

It is uncertain whether long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), widely used to treat COPD, increases the risk of fracture, particularly in women, in view of the postmenopausal risks. We assessed whether long-term ICS use in patients with COPD increases the risk of hip or upper extremity fractures, and examined sex-related differences. The Quebec health-care databases were used to form a cohort of patients with COPD over 1990 to 2005, followed until 2007 for the first hip or upper extremity fracture. In a nested case-control analysis, each case of fracture was matched with 20 control subjects on age, sex, and follow-up time. The adjusted rate ratio (RR) of fracture with ICS use, by duration and dose, was estimated using conditional logistic regression, with an interaction term to compare the risk in men and women. In the cohort of 240,110 subjects, 19,396 sustained a fracture during a mean 5.3years (rate, 15.2 per 1,000 per year). Any use of ICSs was not associated with an increased rate of fracture (RR, 1.00; 95%CI, 0.97-1.03). The fracture rate was increased with > 4 years of ICS use at daily doses≥ 1,000 μg in fluticasone equivalents (RR, 1.10; 95%CI, 1.02-1.19). This risk increase did not differ between men and women. Long-term ICS use at high doses is associated with a modest increase in the risk of hip and upper extremity fractures in patients with COPD. This dose-duration risk increase does not appear to be higher for women.

A study on HbA1c profile in children with asthma using inhaled corticosteroids

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment for persistent bronchial asthma in children. Even though ICS is comparatively safe, few systemic toxicities have been reported. We have conducted a study on HbA1c profile of 170 asthmatic children who are on ICS for atleast 6 months. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels were measured before initiating ICS and after 6 months using venous blood samples. HbA1c measured using immunoassay. The objective of the study was to detect prevalence of significant hyperglycemia among children with asthma who are on inhaled corticosteroids. Study design used as a prospective follow up study, setting of the study was to Pediatric asthma clinic, Govt. TDMCH, Alappuzha, Study population used Children between 3 to 12 years attending pediatric asthma clinic.Methods: Cumulative doses of ICS and bronchodialators were measured by providing an asthma diary to mark the dose of medication. FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c levels were measured before initiating ICS and after 6 months. To elucidate the assosiations comparisons between different parameters Chi-square test was used as non-parametric test. Student’s T- test was used to compare mean values between 2 groups and different groups. Initial and follow up two groups of HbA1c and ICS administrations were compared using paired and unpaired T-test.Results: There is a significant increase in the mean HbA1c of the total study population before and after treatment with ICS.Conclusions: Long term use of ICS can affect glucose metabolism of asthmatic children.

A Review on the Safety and Efficacy of Inhaled Corticosteroids in the Management of Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by symptoms of cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, and wheeze. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have been recommended as initial therapy in the treatment of persistent asthma in all guidelines, as they have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, high-dose regimens and long-term use of ICS may be associated with a variety of side effects, similar to those observed with systemic corticosteroid therapy. These side effects include impaired growth in children, osteoporosis, fractures, glaucoma, cataracts, and skin thinning. The current recommendations on ICS use in asthma management will be reviewed in this article with a view to highlight treatment strategies that strike an optimal balance between safety and efficacy.

Long-Term Inhaled Corticosteroid Adherence in Asthma Patients with Short-Term Adherence

Although the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma is known to be overall erratic, the long-term use of ICS by patients selected during an episode of regular use is poorly documented. In a cohort of patients with asthma regularly acquiring ICS therapy over several months, we verified whether these patients remained treated in the following 12 months. The correlates of regular ICS use over this period were investigated. A historical cohort of patients with asthma was identified from the Echantillon généraliste de bénéficiaires national French health care reimbursement data (2007-2012). Patients (6-40 years) were selected during a regular ICS use episode, with 3 or more ICS refills within 120 days. Continuous multiple-interval measures of medication availability (CMA) were computed for the 12 months after the third dispensation, and the factors associated with a CMA value of 80% or more (adherent patients) were identified. Among 5096 patients (42.1% children/teenagers, 48.8% females), only 24.0% had a CMA value of 80% or more (mean CMA= 54.4%) over the 12 months following the ICS selection period. Achieving a CMA value of 80% or more was primarily associated with being a child/teenager (P= .002), having more severe or less controlled asthma (P= .007), more previous dispensing of short-acting beta agonists (P < .0001), and receiving devices with 200 unit doses (P < .0001). Adherentpatients had more frequent general practitioner visits (P < .0001), more distinct prescribers of respiratory therapy (P= .0002), and more frequent switches of ICS (P < .0001). Most patients with asthma selected during an episode of regular ICS use did not maintain therapy over the following months. Adherence should be repeatedly monitored, and the reasons for discontinuation should be investigated, at prescriber and patient levels.

AB039. Pragmatic trial stepping down Flutiform® in patients maintained on high dose ICS

Background Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines recommend a gradual step-down of asthma therapy if asthma has been well-controlled for at least 3 months. In real life, however, many well-controlled patients are prescribed high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and are therefore unnecessarily at risk of systemic side effects associated with long-term ICS use. To encourage and facilitate step-down in a clinical setting, further pragmatic studies are required to demonstrate that good control of asthma can be maintained with a lower dose of ICS in stable and controlled patients, and to explore potential predictors for response to step-down.To test if good control of asthma can be maintained in adult patients previously stable on Flutiform® 250 (250 mcg fluticasone/10 mcg formoterol) for 12 weeks, after step-down to Flutiform® 125 (250 mcg fluticasone/5 mcg formoterol).