EFFECT OF INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS ON BRONCHIAL HYPERRESPONSIVENESS INPATIENTS WITH MILD ASTHMA

We studied the effect of inhaled budesonide on bronchial hyperres pons iveness(BHR) in twenty mild asthmatic patients The study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Before enter ing the study, the patients performed methacholine inhalation challeng e (MIC) using a reservoir method to assess BHR Then, they were randoml y allocated to receive budesonide turbuhaler (200 mu g/dose) or placeb o turbuhaler two inhalations, twice daily for eight weeks. During the study, each patient recorded daily asthma score and daily number of pu ffs of beta(2) agonist and they were assessed at weeks 4 and 8. At the end of the treatment, MIC was repeated again. Patients receiving bude sonide showed a significant improvement in airway responsiveness compa red with those receiving placebo (p <0.05). They also showed a signifi cant improvement in asthma severity score and a significant decrease i n beta(2) agonist bronchodilator use. This study also suggested that i nhaled corticosteroids may be the primary treatment in patients, even with mild asthmatic and well-controlled symptoms.