Inhaled corticosteroids in mild to moderate persistent asthma: doses per day.

Inhaled corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for asthma. However, po or compliance by patients is one of the principal difficulties forced bu cl inicians. Thus, it seems important to propose the minimal daily number of d oses. This study has compared the various modes of administration of inhale r corticosteroids and was carried out in patients with mild to moderate per sistent asthma. Thus, comparing two to four doses per day shows an identica l efficacy if the doses is less than 800 mu g per day. At higher doses only two studies have been carried out and there are discordant results. The st udies compare two doses versus one single dose per day and equally disagree with numerous works in favor of a single daily dose. In the single study c arried out for aat least twelve months the twice daily dose was the most ef fective. Thus it seems reasonable to suggest a single dose for mild persist ent asthmatics. For moderate persistent asthmatics the choice between a sin gle or twice daily dose would depend on the therapeutic compliance of the p atient.