Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in long-term treatment of perennial and seasonal asthma in children and adults: a report of five-and-half years' experience in 600 asthmatic patients.

Clinical experience in the long-term treatment of allergic asthma with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA) during the past five-and-half years is reviewed. A total of 600 patients from National Health Service and private practice, including 176 children, was treated. A total of 241 patients, including 57 children, was corticosteroid-dependent for 1-18 yr. Of these patients, 70% were successfully transferred to BDA, 21% could be only partially transferred, and 9% could not. Over the years, 12% had to revert to oral corticosteroids, but 4% were able to stop BDA without relapse. Oropharyngeal thrush was observed in 16%, but in only two cases did treatment have to be withdrawn on that account. There were no deaths from asthma, and seven normal births. A total of 359 non-corticosteroid-dependent asthmatics, including 119 children, were also treated with BDA. Successful control of symptoms was achieved in 99%, but 4% eventually became corticosteroid-dependent. There were three deaths from asthma and 13 normal births. Fifteen per cent were able to stop treatment without relapse. Five per cent developed oropharyngeal candidiasis, but treatment did not have to be stopped on that account. In 35% of both groups, a preliminary course of oral corticosteroid at high dosage was required before the introduction of BDA therapy. Sixty-two patients were treated for over 5 yr, and approximately 1350 patient-years of BDA have been given without evidence of side-effects. Thirty-one corticosteroid-dependent and 73 non-corticosteroid dependent patients with perennial asthma had 231 seasonal episodes, effectively controlled in 68%, and 38 purely seasonal asthmatics had 100 episodes, with good control in 80% of cases.