FREQUENCY OF VOICE PROBLEMS AND COUGH IN PATIENTS USING PRESSURIZED AEROSOL INHALED STEROID PREPARATIONS

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of throat and voice symptoms in asthma patients using pressurized aerosol, metered-dose, i nhaled corticosteroid preparations. A questionnaire was administered t o hospital out-patients in an asthma clinic and to a control group att ending a diabetic clinic. Two hundred and fifty five consecutive out-p atients using pressurized aerosol inhaled corticosteroids and 100 cont rols were surveyed. One hundred and forty seven (58%) patients taking inhaled steroids reported voice dysphonia or throat symptoms compared with 13% of control patients, Women admitted to symptoms more frequent ly than men, Throat symptoms were more prevalent in patients using hig her doses of inhaled steroid, Aerosol inhaler-induced cough was report ed by 87 (34%) patients, Local side-effects were equally prevalent bot h with beclomethasone dipropionate and budesonide aerosol inhalers. Th e use of a large volume spacing device with either steroid aerosol did not appear to protect against these symptoms. Local side-effects are common in asthmatics taking pressurized aerosol, metered-dose, inhaled steroids.