The findings appear in the second issue for June 2006 of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.
Ian M. Balfour-Lynn, M.D., F.R.C.P., of the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, and six associates concluded that it is safe for CF patients to stop using inhaled corticosteroids in order to lower their drug burden, to reduce potential adverse side effects, and to save money.
According to the authors, 52 percent of children and 55 percent of the adults with CF in Great Britain have been prescribed inhaled corticosteroid medication for their illness.
CF, an inherited disorder, is characterized by the production of thick, sticky mucus that frequently obstructs the lungs. The problem can lead to life-threatening lung infections and difficulties with the pancreatic ducts, preventing normal digestion and causing patient malnutrition. Because of improved treatment techniques in recent years, however, patient survival has increased from 25 to 33 years.
"Oral corticosteroids slow the progression of CF lung disease, but long-term use is precluded by unacceptable side effects," said Dr. Balfour-Lynn. "A systematic review of inhaled corticosteroid use in CF revealed 10 randomized controlled trials, with six having been published. The trials studied 293 adults and children. Although there was variable methodological quality among the studies, the conclusion was that there was 'no evidence from existing trials to support the practice of prescribing
'"/>
Contact: Suzy Martin
smartin@thoracic.org
212-315-8631
American Thoracic Society
15-Jun-2006