Monitoring growth in asthmatic children treated with high dose inhaled glucocorticoids does not predict adrenal suppression

Inhaled corticosteroid related adrenal suppression detected by poor growth and reversed with ciclesonide

INTRODUCTION

This case series intends to highlight the association between decreased linear growth velocity and adrenal suppression in patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. A potential treatment option is also discussed. Adrenal suppression secondary to inhaled corticosteroids has previously been reported and is often underrecognized. A decrease in linear height velocity has also been associated with inhaled corticosteroids. However, a decrease in height velocity has not been shown to predict adrenal suppression.

CASE STUDY

This case series of 15 patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids for control of asthma were noted to have a decrease in linear growth velocity ultimately associated with adrenal suppression. A change in inhaled corticosteroid to ciclesonide led to recovery of adrenal function without impacting asthma control.

RESULTS

Chart review from a pediatric pulmonology clinic was performed. Growth parameters and laboratory studies were recorded and analyzed. A mean decrease in height standard deviation score in the year prior to diagnosis of adrenal suppression was -0.59, -0.11, and -0.18, in pre-puberty, peri-puberty, and post-puberty patients, respectively. After ciclesonide therapy was initiated, a mean change in height standard deviation score of +0.40, +0.13, and -0.13, was noted for pre-puberty, peri-puberty, and post-puberty patients, respectively. A change in growth velocity of +5.3 cm/yr, +2.1 cm/yr, and -1.9 cm/yr, was noted for pre-puberty, peri-puberty, and post-puberty patients, respectively, after starting ciclesonide.

CONCLUSIONS

Height velocity should be monitored closely during routine asthma visits to identify potential adrenal suppression associated with inhaled corticosteroids use. Ciclesonide is a good option for asthma treatment that allows for adrenal recovery.

Adrenal Insufficiency after Chronic Swallowed Glucocorticoid Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in children with eosinophilic esophagitis treated with swallowed fluticasone propionate (FP) or budesonide.

STUDY DESIGN

Children treated with FP or budesonide for ≥ 6 months underwent a low-dose adrenocorticotropin stimulation test. Patients using systemic, inhaled, intranasal, or topical glucocorticoids were excluded. The primary outcome is AI, defined as peak serum cortisol <18 μg/dL (≤ 495 nmol/L).

RESULTS

Of 58 patients (81% male), 67% were on FP (median age 13.7 years [range 4.3-19.1], dose 1320 μg/d [440-1760], treatment duration 4.0 years [0.6-13.5]). Thirty-three percent were on budesonide (median age 10.7 years [range 3.2-17.2], dose 1000 μg/d [500-2000], treatment duration 3.4 years [0.6-7.7]). The overall prevalence of abnormal peak cortisol response (≤ 20 μg/dL) was 15% (95% CI 6%-25%) (indeterminate [18-20 μg/dL] 5% [n = 3] vs AI [<18 μg/dL] 10% [n = 6]). All patients on budesonide had a normal response vs only 77% of patients on FP (P = .02), all of whom were taking FP at a dose >440 μg/d.

CONCLUSIONS

AI was present in 10% of children treated with swallowed glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months and was found only in those treated with FP >440 μg/d. We recommend low-dose adrenocorticotropin stimulation testing in children treated long term with high dose FP to allow early detection of AI.

Adrenal Suppression in Children Treated With Oral Viscous Budesonide for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

We sought to determine the prevalence of adrenal suppression (AS) in children with eosinophilic esophagitis treated with oral viscous budesonide (OVB). This was a retrospective review of a quality assurance initiative, whereby all children in our center treated with OVB for ≥3 months were referred over an 18-month time frame for endocrine assessment including 1 μg adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. Fourteen of 19 children complied with the referral; of these 14 children, 6 (43%) had suboptimal stimulated cortisol (range 343-497 nmol/L, mean [±SD] 424.7 nmol/L [±52.4], normal ≥500 nmol/L). There was no significant association to treatment duration, dose, or concomitant use of inhaled/nasal corticosteroids. This study suggests that children treated with OVB may be at risk for AS.

Inhaled corticosteroids should be the first line of treatment for children with asthma

Although montelukast is claimed to be preferable to inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis, virus-induced exacerbations, exercise induced asthma, and in those experiencing difficulties with inhalation therapy, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims. In comparative trials and systematic reviews, inhaled corticosteroids are clearly more effective than montelukast in reducing asthma exacerbations, improving lung function, symptom scores, and rescue medication use. The effects on exercise induced bronchoconstriction appear to be similar. Because of their superior efficacy and excellent long-term efficacy and safety profile, inhaled corticosteroids are the treatment of first choice for the maintenance therapy of childhood asthma, irrespective of age or clinical phenotype.

Salivary cortisol levels in prepubertal children using inhaled corticosteroids with or without concurrent intranasal corticosteroids

BACKGROUND

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and intranasal steroids (INS) are frequently co-administered in children with asthma and rhinitis. In contrast to monotherapy with ICS or INS, little is known about the safety of concurrent use of topical steroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in prepubertal children.

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of morning salivary cortisol levels in prepubertal children using maintenance treatment with ICS with and without concurrent use of INS to steroid naïve control groups (healthy children, and children with constipation who are under pediatric care).

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study in prepubertal children (6-12 years) using ICS alone (n = 41) or in combination with INS (n = 22), compared to different control groups with no steroid treatment (18 healthy children, and 28 children with constipation). Morning salivary cortisol levels were determined from saliva samples collected at home.

RESULTS

The morning salivary cortisol levels of the healthy children (8.7 nmol/L; 95% CI 5.9-18.8), and the children with constipation (8.9 nmol/L; 8.0-11.3) were comparable. The salivary cortisol levels of prepubertal children using ICS (median 4.7 nmol/L; 95% CI 4.6-6.9) or a combination of ICS and INS (5.1 nmol/L; 4.2-7.6) were comparable, but significantly reduced compared to both control groups. There was no correlation between salivary cortisol level and age, duration of disease, or cumulative daily dose of topical steroids.

CONCLUSION

Salivary cortisol levels in prepubertal children using ICS, with or without concurrent use of INS, were comparable. However, salivary cortisol levels were significantly reduced compared to steroid naïve controls, irrespective of the cumulative daily dose of topical steroids. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:1055-1061. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression in asthmatic children on inhaled and nasal corticosteroids: is the early-morning serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) a useful screening test?

BACKGROUND

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression (HPAS) in asthmatic children treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with or without nasal steroids (NS), may be more common than previously thought. Only dynamic testing will identify children at risk of adrenal crisis. It is impractical to test all asthmatic children for HPAS with a gold standard adrenal function test, i.e. the metyrapone or insulin tolerance test.

OBJECTIVE

To determine which clinical or biochemical parameter is the most useful screening test for HPAS in asthmatic children.

METHODS

Twenty-six asthmatic children, 5-18 yr old, on ICS ± NS, not treated with oral or topical steroids in the preceding year were recruited. Height, weight, height velocity, weight velocity and a change in systolic blood pressure from the recumbent to the standing position (ΔSBP) were recorded. Early-morning urine for urinary free cortisol (UFC) and urinary cortisol metabolites (UCM) was collected. UFC was analysed by both a chemiluminescent assay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Morning serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were measured. The overnight metyrapone test was performed if the fasting morning serum cortisol was >83 nmol/l. HPAS was diagnosed if the ACTH failed to rise >100 pg/ml after metyrapone. Spearman correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between the post-metyrapone ACTH and each variable. A receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn for the most promising test, and the diagnostic performance was calculated.

RESULTS

All clinical and biochemical parameters investigated were weakly and non-significantly correlated with the post-metyrapone ACTH, except for the morning serum ACTH (r = 0.68; p <0.001). The best discrimination between those who have and those who do not have HPAS is a morning serum ACTH level of 11.7 pg/ml. This corresponds to a sensitivity of 0.89 (0.57-0.98), a specificity of 0.77 (0.53-0.90), a positive predictive value of 0.67 (0.39-0.87), a negative predictive value of 0.93 (0.69-0.99), an accuracy of 0.81 (0.61-0.94), a positive likelihood ratio of 3.78 (1.68-9.49) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.15 (0.03-0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

The morning serum ACTH level was found to be the most useful screening test to detect HPAS in this sample of children receiving ICS ± NS. A larger study should be undertaken to refine the diagnostic precision of the morning serum ACTH level.

Adrenal suppression: A practical guide to the screening and management of this under-recognized complication of inhaled corticosteroid therapy

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are the most effective anti-inflammatory agents available for the treatment of asthma and represent the mainstay of therapy for most patients with the disease. Although these medications are considered safe at low-to-moderate doses, safety concerns with prolonged use of high ICS doses remain; among these concerns is the risk of adrenal suppression (AS). AS is a condition characterized by the inability to produce adequate amounts of the glucocorticoid, cortisol, which is critical during periods of physiological stress. It is a proven, yet under-recognized, complication of most forms of glucocorticoid therapy that can persist for up to 1 year after cessation of corticosteroid treatment. If left unnoticed, AS can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. More than 60 recent cases of AS have been described in the literature and almost all cases have involved children being treated with ≥500 μg/day of fluticasone.

The risk for AS can be minimized through increased awareness and early recognition of at-risk patients, regular patient follow-up to ensure that the lowest effective ICS doses are being utilized to control asthma symptoms, and by choosing an ICS medication with minimal adrenal effects. Screening for AS should be considered in any child with symptoms of AS, children using high ICS doses, or those with a history of prolonged oral corticosteroid use. Cases of AS should be managed in consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist whenever possible. In patients with proven AS, stress steroid dosing during times of illness or surgery is needed to simulate the protective endogenous elevations in cortisol levels that occur with physiological stress.

This article provides an overview of current literature on AS as well as practical recommendations for the prevention, screening and management of this serious complication of ICS therapy.

[Is there a risk of steroid-induced adrenal deficit after induction treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia?]

The occurrence of eight cases of adrenal deficit in children hospitalized for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) led us to conduct a prospective study from May 2006 to May 2007 to better characterize this corticoid-induced adrenal deficit. Forty of the 48 patients hospitalized for ALL were given a low-dose Synacthen test (1 μg), a mean 7 days after the induction phase. An adrenal deficit was diagnosed in 27 patients (67.5%). No significant clinical or hematological difference was identified between the "with deficit" (n = 27) and "without deficit" (n = 13) groups. The diagnosis of adrenal deficit was not more common for children who had received dexamethasone (13/19) or prednisone (14/21), or for those who had (19/29) or had not (8/11) experienced corticoid toxicity during induction. The clinical signs suggesting adrenal deficit were identical in the two groups and none of the children presented an acute episode. In biological terms, only hypoprotidemia was significantly more common in patients with adrenal deficit (p = 0.0004). Of 13 patients with a deficit at the end of the induction who had received a 2nd low-dose Synacthène(®) test before intensification no. 1, 3 weeks on average after the end of corticotherapy, only two still had a deficit. Thus, corticoid-induced adrenal deficit is a common complication in children treated for ALL, although it is not highly symptomatic. Most of these children recover normal adrenal function before intensification no. 1, but it does not eliminate the risk of a secondary deficit after other courses of corticotherapy. Systematic repeated Synacthène(®) tests in common practice among children treated for ALL does not seem justified. However, the results of this study encouraged us to propose a hydrocortisone substitution to children treated for ALL in the event of stress.

Recent advances in pediatric asthma treatment

Although wheezing illness is at its most prevalent in infancy and early childhood, its self-limiting nature in the majority poses considerable challenges in offering a long-term prognosis and in initiating long-term prophylaxis. Many of the established treatments in adults have not been adequately assessed in children. Evidence is also emerging for a number of different wheezing syndromes, several of which do not to respond well to currently available medicines. Much research interest is being directed to underlying changes within the airway that appear to be independent of allergic mechanisms and that may lead to novel therapeutic approaches. The aim of this review is to restate and update current best-practice based on evidence, to encourage effective and safe use of asthma medication in children and to point to areas of ongoing research that are likely to influence management decisions in the near future.

Reversal of adrenal suppression with ciclesonide

BACKGROUND

Adrenal suppression secondary to high-dose inhaled corticosteroid use has been reported in children.

METHODS

The authors report the use of ciclesonide to reverse adrenal suppression secondary to inhaled fluticasone use in four pediatric patients.

RESULTS

In these four children, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function normalized after the patients were changed to ciclesonide, while good asthma control was maintained.

CONCLUSIONS

Ciclesonide should be considered for the reversal of adrenal suppression secondary to the use of fluticasone, and perhaps other older inhaled corticosteroids as well.

Dysregulation of the stress response in asthmatic children

The stress system co-ordinates the adaptive responses of the organism to stressors of any kind. Inappropriate responsiveness may account for increased susceptibility to a variety of disorders, including asthma. Accumulated evidence from animal models suggests that exogenously applied stress enhances airway reactivity and increases allergen-induced airway inflammation. This is in agreement with the clinical observation that stressful life events increase the risk of a new asthma attack. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by specific cytokines increases the release of cortisol, which in turn feeds back and suppresses the immune reaction. Data from animal models suggest that inability to increase glucocorticoid production in response to stress is associated with increased airway inflammation with mechanical dysfunction of the lungs. Recently, a growing body of evidence shows that asthmatic subjects who are not treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are likely to have an attenuated activity and/or responsiveness of their HPA axis. In line with this concept, most asthmatic children demonstrate improved HPA axis responsiveness on conventional doses of ICS, as their airway inflammation subsides. Few patients may experience further deterioration of adrenal function, a phenomenon which may be genetically determined.

Effect on growth of long-term treatment with intranasal triamcinolone acetonide aqueous in children with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend treatment with intranasal corticosteroids for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), but concerns remain about possible adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE

To present the 1- and 2-year growth results for children with AR treated with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray.

METHODS

Thirty-nine children (aged 6.1-14.3 years at study entry) were treated with triamcinolone acetonide aqueous for 1 year, and a subset of 30 children completed a second year of treatment. The dose was physician titered to achieve control over AR symptoms. For each child, statural heights at baseline and at the 1- and 2-year (where available) visits, together with growth rates, were measured and were compared with predicted values.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between measured and predicted heights at the 1- and 2-year visits. The mean (SD) measured--predicted difference was 0.3 (2.2) cm (95% confidence interval, -0.4 to 1.0 cm) at the 1-year visit and 0.5 (3.0) cm (95% confidence interval, -0.6 to 1.6 cm) at the 2-year visit. Mean differences in measured and predicted growth rates were nonsignificant at the 1- and 2-year visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Triamcinolone acetonide aqueous titered to control AR symptoms and given for 1 or 2 years had no significant effect on statural growth in children with AR.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in asthmatic children

Reduced responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in patients with various chronic allergic inflammatory disorders and a blunted HPA axis response of poorly controlled asthmatics before long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have been reported. It seems that pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines might be involved in the attenuation of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses to stress in these patients. Although long-term ICS treatment might produce mild adrenal suppression in some asthmatic children, improvement of adrenal function has been detected in the majority of cases. We postulate that the anti-inflammatory effects of ICS result both in asthma remission and HPA axis improvement. Adrenal suppression of some asthmatic patients on maintenance ICS seems to be a separate phenomenon, possibly constitutionally or genetically determined.

Diagnosis and treatment of asthma in childhood: a PRACTALL consensus report

Asthma is the leading chronic disease among children in most industrialized countries. However, the evidence base on specific aspects of pediatric asthma, including therapeutic strategies, is limited and no recent international guidelines have focused exclusively on pediatric asthma. As a result, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology nominated expert teams to find a consensus to serve as a guideline for clinical practice in Europe as well as in North America. This consensus report recommends strategies that include pharmacological treatment, allergen and trigger avoidance and asthma education. The report is part of the PRACTALL initiative, which is endorsed by both academies.

[Fluticasone propionate in children and infants with asthma]

The known efficacy of fluticasone propionate in adults, comparable at half-dosage of corticosteroids has been validated by the market authorization (MA) and by the national and international guidelines for beclomethasone. This could be partly explained by its pharmacological properties, affinity for glucocorticosteroid receptors, lung deposition and lipophilicity. The limited systemic adverse events is due to its low bioavailability, optimal hepatic clearance, high plasma protein binding. The efficacy in asthmatic children has been confirmed in clinical studies showing a "plateau" efficacy between 100 and 200 microg/d for the majority of children. Most children are controlled by such dosages: the added value of increasing posology on asthma control exists but is small. A high off-label posology does not allow more quickly asthma control and therefore is not justified. A twice daily dosing is more efficient, particularly for initiation of maintenance therapy, than a once daily dosing. A literature survey confirms that, at MA recommended daily doses in children (100-200 microg), fluticasone propionate has no clinically significant effect either on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (basal function or stimulation tests), bone or growth velocity. However, high daily doses (higher to 500 microg/day) for long periods expose to systemic adverse effects with measurable consequences on growth rate, bone density (decreasing biochemical makers of bone formation) and HPA function. Several cases of adrenal insufficiency that may have led to acute adrenal crisis have been reported in 4- to 10-year-old children receiving fluticasone propionate in doses between 500 to 2000 microg daily. In case of surgery or infection, a preventive treatment of adrenal insufficiency with hydrocortisone should be proposed for children treated for more than 6 months with such high daily doses. Such children need definitely an advice from paediatricians specialized in chest diseases as well as in endocrinology. It is important to recall that the clinical benefit of daily doses of inhaled corticosteroids higher than recommended is low and that the good use of inhaled corticosteroids particularly in children lays on the careful search of the minimal efficient daily doses.

Adrenal insufficiency: still a cause of morbidity and death in childhood

Adrenal insufficiency is relatively rare in childhood and adolescence. Signs and symptoms may be nonspecific; therefore, the diagnosis may not be suspected early in the course. If unrecognized, adrenal insufficiency may present with life-threatening cardiovascular collapse. Adrenal crisis continues to occur in children with known primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency during intercurrent illness because of failure to increase glucocorticoid dosage. In this article, current knowledge of the incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of adrenal insufficiency in children and factors precipitating adrenal crisis are summarized. Suggestions for prevention of adrenal crisis in patients at risk are provided for health care professionals and families.

Adrenal responses to low dose synthetic ACTH (Synacthen) in children receiving high dose inhaled fluticasone

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Clinical adrenal insufficiency has been reported with doses of inhaled fluticasone proprionate (FP) > 400 microg/day, the maximum dose licensed for use in children with asthma. Following two cases of serious adrenal insufficiency (one fatal) attributed to FP, adrenal function was evaluated in children receiving FP outwith the licensed dose.

METHODS

Children recorded as prescribed FP > or = 500 microg/day were invited to attend for assessment. Adrenal function was measured using the low dose Synacthen test (500 ng/1.73 m2 intravenously) and was categorised as: biochemically normal (peak cortisol response > 500 nmol/l); impaired (peak cortisol < or = 500 nmol/l); or flat (peak cortisol < or = 500 nmol/l with increment of < 200 nmol/l and basal morning cortisol < 200 nmol/l).

RESULTS

A total of 422 children had been receiving FP alone or in combination with salmeterol; 202 were not investigated (137 FP within license; 24 FP discontinued); 220 attended and 217 (age 2.6-19.3 years) were successfully tested. Of 194 receiving FP > or = 500 microg/day, six had flat responses, 82 impaired responses, 104 were normal, and in 2 the LDST was unsuccessful. Apart from the index child, the other five with flat responses were asymptomatic; a further child with impairment (peak cortisol 296 nmol/l) had encephalopathic symptoms with borderline hypoglycaemia during an intercurrent illness. The six with flat responses and the symptomatic child were all receiving FP doses of > or = 1000 microg/day.

CONCLUSION

Overall, flat adrenal responses in association with FP occurred in 2.8% of children tested, all receiving > or = 1000 microg/day, while impaired responses were seen in 39.6%. Children on above licence FP doses should have adrenal function monitoring as well as a written plan for emergency steroid replacement.

Assessment of adrenal suppression in children with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids: use of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as a screening test

BACKGROUND

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) are considered first-line therapy for persistent asthma. At medium to high doses, ICs can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Various provocative stimuli have been used to evaluate HPA axis function, but they are labor intensive and time-consuming. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is a corticotropin-dependent adrenal androgen precursor that is suppressible in patients treated with ICs.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate DHEA-S as a possible marker for HPA axis dysfunction in children treated with ICs.

METHODS

Children with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma and a history of medium- to high-dose IC exposure for at least 6 months were evaluated using low-dose and standard high-dose cosyntropin stimulation testing to assess adrenal function, and DHEA-S levels were compared with the results.

RESULTS

Thirteen (59%) of 22 patients exhibited an abnormal cortisol response to cosyntropin. Age- and sex-specific mean DHEA-S z scores were significantly lower in cosyntropin abnormal responders (-1.2822) compared with normal responders (0.2964) (P = .008). The receiver operating characteristic curve for DHEA-S z scores had an area of 0.786 (95% confidence interval, 0.584-0.989), reaching 100% sensitivity with a DHEA-S z score of -1.5966 or less and 100% specificity with a DHEA-S z score greater than 0.0225.

CONCLUSIONS

Most children develop biochemical evidence of adrenal suppression after treatment with medium to high doses of ICs. The presence of low DHEA-S levels can be used as a screening test to identify the child who needs more formal testing of the HPA axis.

Regimen and device compliance: key factors in determining therapeutic outcomes

The two most important differences between inhaled and oral therapy are (1) the lungs have evolved to exclude foreign material while the gut has evolved to take in large amounts of foreign material, and (2) even if patients adhere to a treatment regimen (regimen compliance or adherence), they may fail to derive any benefit from using an inhaler due to failure of drug delivery (poor device compliance). In other words: True compliance = regimen compliance x device compliance. Aerosol scientists, building on the observations of those working in the field of industrial hygiene, have developed devices that largely address the challenge of bypassing the lung's defenses, in that current devices generate aerosols that contain a significant proportion of particles in the range of 1-5 microm. These have a relatively high probability of entering the lungs and depositing through impaction and/or sedimentation. The development of delivery systems for systemically acting drugs has led to further refinement. The second issue, that of patient behavior, has, until very recently, received very little attention from those developing devices. Regimen compliance involves taking the medication at the suggested times. Device compliance (using the device optimally) is dependent on competence and contrivance. A patient taking a tablet before rather than after a meal is likely to receive some therapeutic benefit even if the effect is suboptimal. A patient whose device compliance is poor because either they are not competent to use the device or contrive to use it in an ineffective manner may derive little or no benefit even if they are scrupulously adhering to their treatment regimen. Lack of precision in the use of the terms "compliance" and "adherence" has contributed to the failure to build in features that may help address issues relating to patient behavior. The resurgence of interest in developing devices that can be used to deliver potent systemically acting drugs has, out of necessity, led to the development of systems that help minimize the impact of poor competence or contrivance on drug delivery. There are suggestions, that need to be confirmed, that regimen compliance (adherence) can be influenced by providing feedback. In the absence of formal studies, comparison of the high-tech and low-tech approaches to improving device compliance incorporated into novel devices might provide valuable insights into what aspects of feedback are important in the clinical setting.

Adrenal function improves in asthmatic children on inhaled steroids: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Asthmatic children on long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may exhibit mild adrenal suppression. We aimed to test the hypothesis that baseline adrenal function of some asthmatic children might be lower than that of others and that this difference might be accentuated by ICS therapy.

METHODS

A low-dose Synacthen test was performed in 41 prepubertal asthmatic children placed on long-term inhaled budesonide (400 microg/day) prior to the onset of ICS treatment, 6 and 12 months later. Five children withdrew before the 6- and another 2 before the 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Low adrenal function was demonstrated in 4 children (9.8%) upon recruitment and in another 8 at the 6-month evaluation (22.2%). Adrenal function normalized in the aforementioned 4 children at the 6-month evaluation, while 6 (17.6%) exhibited suppressed adrenal function at the 12-month evaluation. Three of these patients had also exhibited adrenal suppression at the 6-month visit. A significant improvement in peak cortisol values from baseline to the 6- and 12-month evaluation (95% confidence intervals: -283.9 to -69.0 and -239.8 to -50.8, respectively) was evident when children with suppressed adrenal response at the second or third evaluation were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

In many asthmatic children, adrenal response improves on long-term ICS. The expected adrenal suppression of certain patients on maintenance ICS appears to constitute a separate phenomenon.