EFFECT OF 1 YEAR DAILY TREATMENT WITH 400 MU-G BUDESONIDE (PUMICORT(R) TURBUHALER(R)) IN NEWLY-DIAGNOSED ASTHMATICS

The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with a low daily dose of 400 mu g inhaled budesonide (Pulmicort(R) Turbuhaler(R)) in newly diagnosed asthmatics could influence the course of asthma, S eventy five adult patients, mostly with mild asthma, diagnosed during the previous year and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, participated in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group multicentre study, They were treated with budesonide 200 mu g b.i.d. or placebo, delivered via Tur buhaler(R) for 12 months and followed-up for scores, reactivity to his tamine and inflammatory indices in blood were assessed, The mean incre ase in morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) was 28 L.min(-1) after budes onide treatment compared with no increase in the placebo group (p=0.00 03), The provocative dose of histamine causing a 20% fall in forced ex piratory volume in one second (PD20) (geometric mean) increased in the budesonide group by approximately two doubling dose steps, but not in the placebo group (p=0.0003), The difference between groups with rega rd to improvement in asthma symptom scores and inflammatory indices di d not reach statistical significance, During the 6 month follow-up, th e PEF values of the patients who had previously been treated with bude sonide decreased by 18 L.min(-1) while the PD20 decreased by approxima tely one doubling dose step, In conclusion, early treatment with a low dose of budesonide improves airway function and decreases bronchial r esponsiveness, but the improvements are short-lasting without continue d treatment.