Comparison 10. Step down vs Constant ICS Dose (Device).

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Morning PEF (L/min)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 DPI	1	73	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐3.0 [‐48.76, 42.76]
1.2 pMDI	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2 Morning PEF (L/min) change from baseline	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 DPI	2	643	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.83 [‐8.60, 10.26]
2.2 pMDI	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Diary Card Symptom Score (Day) change from baseline	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
3.1 DPI	2	647	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.07 [‐0.16, 0.03]
3.2 pMDI	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Diary Card Symptom Score (Night) change from baseline	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4.1 DPI	2	645	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.06 [‐0.04, 0.15]
4.2 pMDI	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Rescue Medications (puffs per day) change from baseline	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
5.1 DPI	2	643	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.18 [‐0.45, 0.08]
5.2 pMDI	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 Rescue Medications (puffs per night) change from baseline	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
6.1 DPI	2	643	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.04 [‐0.13, 0.05]
6.2 pMDI	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Withdrawal due to adverse event	2		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
7.1 DPI	2	850	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.54 [0.73, 3.24]
7.2 pMDI	0	0	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Proportion Achieving Asthma Control	2		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
8.1 DPI	2	366	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.00 [0.87, 1.16]
8.2 pMDI	0	0	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.3 Nebuliser	0	0	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]