Protective effect of a low single dose inhaled steroid against exercise induced bronchoconstriction

Objective Daily use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) reduces exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in asthmatic children. A high single dose of ICS also provided acute protection against EIB. Objective of this study is to investigate whether a low single dose of ICS offers protection against EIB in asthmatic children. Methods 31 Mild asthmatic children not currently treated with inhaled corticosteroids, 5–16 years, with EIB (fall in FEV0.5/1 ≥ 13%) were included in a prospective intervention study. They performed two ECT's within 2 weeks. Four hours before the second test children inhaled 200 μg beclomethasone-dipropionate (BDP) with a breath-actuated inhaler (BAI). Results The median fall in FEV0.5/1 after 200 μg BDP was significantly reduced from 30.9% at baseline to 16.0% (P < 0.001). Twenty children (64.5%) showed a good response to 200 μg BDP (≥50% decrease in fall of FEV0.5/1), while 8 children showed a moderate response (25–50%), and three children showed no response at all (< 25%). Conclusion A low single dose ICS offers acute protection against EIB in the majority of asthmatic children not currently treated with inhaled corticosteroids