[Usefulness of inhaled steroids in steroid-dependent intractable asthma--equivalent dose of oral steroid to inhaled steroid].

Twenty-four steroid-dependent intractable asthmatics were treated with oral prednisolone (PSL) (basic dose) + additional PSL and oral PSL (basic dose) + inhaled beclomethasone (BDP) alternately, to assess the clinical symptoms in each administration period. Equivalent doses of PSL to BDP were calculated. 1. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) during additional administration of BDP was markedly higher both in the morning and at night compared with that during additional administration of BDP was markedly higher both in the morning and at night compared with that during additional administration of PSL (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively). 2. The relation between additional doses of either PSL or BDP and attack scores was analysed in regression to obtain a dose equivalence line. 3. BDP 400 micrograms was equivalent to PSL 7.04 mg on average. 4. The equivalent dose of PSL to BDP tended to be lower in cases where the period of dependency on oral steroids was longer, the basic dose was larger, or the asthma was more severe. These data indicate that the application of inhaled steroids may be useful in the therapeutic management of steroid-dependent intractable asthmatics.