3. Summary of included studies: ICS versus systemic corticosteroids.

Study	N on ICS	N on oral corticosteroids	Age group	Delivery device	ICS dose	Systemic corticosteroid dose and mode of delivery	Hospital admissions reported?
Ancheta 2008	12	12	Children	MDI+spacer	Fluticasone 125 μg/puff 4 puffs q 20 min x 3; total dose 1500 μg; HIGH	Hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg to maximum 200 mg; IV	Y
Belda 2007	19	20	Adults	MDI	Fluticasone 16 puffs; total dose 4000 μg; HIGH	Prednisone 30 mg; oral	N
Devidayal 1999	41	39	Children	Nebuliser	Budesonide 800 μg x 3 doses; total dose 2400 μg; HIGH	Prednisolone 2 mg/kg; oral	Y
Go 2010	16	17	Adults	Nebuliser	Dose not stated	Hydrocortisone 250 mg; IV	N
Macias 2003	45	90	Children	MDI+spacer	Triamcinolone 600 μg; LOW	Prednisone 2 mg/kg; oral	Y
Milani 2004	17	17	Children	Nebuliser	Budesonide 2 mg; HIGH	Prednisone 1 mg/kg; oral	Y
Rahman 2008	*	*	100 Adults	MDI+spacer	Budesonide 3000 μg/h x 2 hours; total dose 6000 μg; HIGH	"systemic corticosteroid" 500 mg; IV	N
Rodrigo 2005	60	61	Adults	MDI+spacer	Fluticasone 500 μg q10 min x 3 hours; total dose 9000 μg; HIGH	Hydrocortisone 500 mg; IV	Y
Sari 2004	38	38	Adults	Nebuliser	Fluticasone 500 μg; LOW	Methylprednisolone 125 mg; IV	N
Scarfone 1995	62	66	Children	Nebuliser	Dexamethasone 1.5 mg/kg; HIGH*	Prednisone 2 mg/kg; oral	Y
Schuh 2000	52	51	Children	MDI+spacer	Fluticasone 2000 μg	Prednisolone syrup 2 mg/kg to maximum 60 mg; oral	Y
Schuh 2006	35	34	Children	MDI+spacer	Fluticasone 2000 μg; HIGH	Prednisolone syrup 2 mg/kg to maximum 60 mg; oral	Y
Starobin 2008	24	23	Adults	Nebuliser	Fluticasone 500 μg; LOW	Methylprednisolone 125 mg; IV	Y
Volovitz 1998	11	11	Children	Turbohaler	Budesonide 1600 μg; HIGH	Prednisolone 2 mg/kg; oral	Y

* Denotes uncertainty.

Dose equivalency used: high ≥ beclomethasone dipropionate 2 mg (e.g. budesonide 1.5 mg, fluticasone 1.5 mg, triamcinolone 5 mg).