J Korean Med Sci.  2005 Aug;20(4):586-590. 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.4.586.

Effect of High Dose Inhaled Glucocorticoids on Quality of Life in Patients with Moderate to Severe Asthma

• Choi JS
• Jang AS
• Lee JH
• Park JS
• Park SW
• Kim DJ
• Park CS

• KMID: 1712737
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2005.20.4.586

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic disorder that can place considerable restrictions on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of the lives of patients. Inhaled glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most effective controller therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhaled GCs on quality of life in patients with moderate to severe asthma. Patients completed the asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) and pulmonary function test at baseline and after 4 wks treatment of GCs. We enrolled 60 patients who had reversibility in FEV1 after 200 microgram of albuterol of 15% or more and/or positive methacholine provocation test, and initial FEV1% predicted less than 80%. All patients received inhaled GCs (fluticasone propionate 1,000 microgram/day) for 4 wks. The score of AQLQ was significantly improved following inhaled GCs (overall 51.9+/-14.3 vs. 67.5+/-12.1, p<0.05). The change from day 1 to day 28 in FEV1 following inhaled GCs was diversely ranged from -21.0% to 126.8%. The improvement of score of AQLQ was not different between at baseline and after treatment of GCs according to asthma severity and GCs responsiveness. Quality of life was improved after inhaled GCs regardless of asthma severity and GCs responsiveness in patients with moderate to severe asthma.

Keyword

Glucocorticoids; Quality of Life; Asthma

MeSH Terms

Administration, Inhalation
Adult
Asthma/*drug therapy/pathology/physiopathology
Cell Count
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
*Quality of Life
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Respiratory Function Tests
Skin Tests
Spirometry/methods
Sputum/cytology
Treatment Outcome

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The changes of AQLQ scores after inhaled glucocorticoids for 4wks in moderate to severe patients with asthma. A; baseline, B; 4 weeks, *p<0.05 compared with baseline values.

• 

  Fig. 2 Change in overall AQLQ scores between responder and non-responder after inhaled glucocorticoids for 4 wks.

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