. 2016 Feb 4;47(3):751–768. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01882-2015

TABLE 6.

Relationship between inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use, step-up/step-down protocol and exacerbations

First author [ref.]	Management plan	Severity of population	Treatment	Atopic	Exacerbation			ICS use
First author [ref.]	Management plan	Severity of population	Treatment	Atopic	Any	Major	Minor	ICS use
Smith [24]	F_eNO + symptom-based safety protocol	Excluded severe	ICS	NR	NS decrease	NS decrease	NS decrease	SS decrease
Shaw [25]	F_eNO + symptoms	Recent severe exacerbations excluded	ICS, LTRA, bronchodilator	66%	NR	NS decrease	NR	SS decrease
Syk [14]	F_eNO only	Mild to moderate	ICS, LTRA	100%	SS decrease	NS increase	NS decrease (moderate)	No change
Calhoun [13]	F_eNO only	Mild to moderate	ICS	86%	No change	No change	NR	No change
Honkoop [16]	F_eNO + symptoms	Excluded those taking OCS every day/every other day	ICS, SABA, LABA, LTRA, OCS	54%	NR	NS decrease	NR	NR

F_eNO: fractional exhaled nitric oxide; NR: not reported; NS: nonsignificant; SS: statistically significant; LTRA: leukotriene receptor antagonist; OCS: oral corticosteroid; SABA: short-acting β₂-agonist; LABA: long-acting β₂-agonist.