Study	Reason for exclusion
Aalbers 2005	Wrong comparison ‐ not stepping down LABA
Berger 2010	Wrong population ‐ adults
Bumbacea 2010	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Cowie 2007	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
FitzGerald 2003	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Fowler 2002	Wrong comparison ‐ ICS dose was higher in the step‐down group
Godard 2008	Wrong population ‐ adults
GSK ADA109315	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA Analysis of healthcare utilisation and costs of stepping down LABA
GSK SAS40037	Wrong population ‐ adults
GSK SMS30046	Wrong study design ‐ cross‐over study
Harrison 1997	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Ind 2004	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Koenig 2008	Wrong population ‐ adults
Liu 2007	Wrong population ‐ adults
Nathan 2009	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
NCT00158834	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA using symptom scores with or without PD20 methacholine to adjust treatment
NCT01565031	Wrong comparison ‐ no clear step‐down strategy for LABA
NCT02094937	Wrong population ‐ adults (ongoing trial)
NTR2045	Wrong study design ‐ single‐group observational study The effect of stepping down from LABA/ICS combination therapy to ICS monotherapy on exercise and mannitol challenge tests in asthmatic children
Obase 2013	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Paggiaro 2011	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Papi 2012	Wrong comparison ‐ not stopping LABA
Reddel 2010	Wrong population ‐ adults
Self 1998	Wrong comparison ‐ ICS stepped down
Shamsul 2007	Wrong comparison ‐ two step‐down groups
Slankard 2011	Wrong population ‐ adults
Zangrilli 2009	Wrong comparison ‐ ICS stepped down