Objectives

The goal of this study was to establish a reliable method to evaluate systemic bioavailability and to determine equisystemic effects (microgram dose producing equal systemic cortisol suppression) in inhaled corticosteriods (ICS).

Background

Inhaled corticosteriods (ICS) are being recommended for treatment of all ages of persistent asthma. The choice of an ICS is often based on convenience or cost factors. However, the potential for adverse systemic effects is not commonly considered. Becuase of these effects, it is important to be able to compare the different available prepareations and delivery systems with respect to both of their systemic effects and their efficacy, in order to determine an optimal asthma treatment strategy.

Participants

156 corticosteriod-naive patients with asthmas were recruited as 6 ACRN centers. These patients were approximately distributed by sex (58% male) and by ethnicity (31% minorities).

Conclusions

The ICS and placebo groups were comaparable at baseline with respect to sex, ethnicity, age, and BMI. the most reliable methods of evaluation was the 12-hour plasma cortisol under the curve (AUC) for the hourly overnight plasma cortisol measurements from 8 P.M. to 8 A.M.

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