The START study: when to start to treat with inhaled steroids in asthma?

Abstract

Asthma is an inflammatory disorder with increasing prevalence and significant morbidity worldwide. Inhaled steroids improve asthma symptoms, reduce exacerbations number and severity, and the need for oral steroids. Due to their potent anti-inflammatory effect, inhaled steroids represent the most effective maintenance therapy available and therefore are recommended by all existing asthma management guidelines as the controller medication at all age groups. However, little is known about the effectiveness of the early use of inhaled steroids in mild asthma. The study by Pauwels and colleagues is aimed at assessing the impact of early use of budesonide in patients (both adults and children) newly diagnosed with mild persistent asthma.