Efficacy of Inhaled Steroids (Beclomethasone Dipropionate) for Treatment of Mild to Moderately Severe Asthma in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Study objective: To examine the efficacy of an inhaled steroid, when added to a standard regimen of β-agonist therapy, in the treatment of patients with mild to moderately severe asthma in the emergency department. Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients with asthma (FEV 1 %predicted 40% to 69%) presenting to the ED was randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion into 2 treatment groups. The first group received 2.5 mg nebulized salbutamol plus 1 mg (4 puffs) of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) at baseline, 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, and 4 hours, delivered by a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) attached to a spacer device (Vent-AH-aler, Glaxo). The second group was given the same salbutamol regimen plus MDI placebo through the Vent-AH-aler. The primary endpoint was improvement in FEV 1 %predicted at 6 hours. Results: Of 54 patients enrolled, 28 were assigned to the BDP group and 26 to the placebo group. Spirometry improved significantly in both groups over the 6 hours compared with baseline (ANOVA, P