Table 7.

PICOT question 4: influence of ICS particle size on asthma outcomes: summary of results of matched database studies

Reference	Outcomes	Treatments	Population	Database	Results
Van Aalderen et al. [67]	Clinical	BDP pMDI St versus EF Initiation Step-up Vs LABA	Children 5–11	UK (CPRD) US (Optuminsight)	EF > St EF = adding LABA
Price et al. [70]	Clinical	BDP pMDI St versus EF Initiation Switch	12–80	UK GPRD CPRD	EF > St
Price et al. [71]	Clinical	pMDI St FP versus EF BDP Initiation Step-up	5–60	UK GPRD	EF ≥ St at lower doses
Barnes et al. [40]	Clinical	BDP pMDI St versus EF Initiation Step-up	5–60	UK GPRD	EF > St
Martin et al. [68]	C-E	BDP/FP pMDI St versus EF Initiation	12–60/12–80	UK/US	EF dominant
Colice et al. [69]	C-E	pMDI St FP versus EF BDP Initiation Step-up	12–80	UK/US	EF ≥ St at lower doses and costs
Price et al. [32]	C-E	St FP-SAL versus EF BDP-FOR	18–80	UK GPRD CPRD	EF ≥ St at lower doses EF dominant

EF extra-fine, St standard size, BDP beclomethasone dipropionate, SAL salmeterol; FOR, formoterol, FP fluticasone propionate, pMDI pressurized metered-dose inhaler