Hampel 2000.

Methods	Setting: multicentre study USA and France Length of intervention period: 6 weeks Randomisation: yes, method not stated Allocation concealment: unclear Masking; double blind Design: parallel group Withdrawals: stated Baseline characteristics: comparable Jadad score: 3
Participants	270 adults Age range 18‐65 years Inclusion criteria: Adults with mild to moderate asthma for at least 12 months No ICS use for previous 3 months ß‐agonist prn only Increase in FEV1 >/= 15% in response to ß‐agonist Non‐smokers Appropriate use of pMDI Exclusion criteria: Cardiac disease; pulmonary disease other than asthma; Hypersensitivity to BDP A history of alcohol or substance abuse medications other than ß‐agonists prn not permitted in the study
Interventions	BDP 50 mcg 2xdaily (100mcg/d) BDP 100 mcg 2xdaily (200 mcg/d) Placebo Delivery device: pMDI
Outcomes	FEV1 Morning PEF Evening PEF FEF25%‐75% Nights without sleep disturbance Asthma symptoms scores Daily beta2‐agonist use All outcomes reported as change compared to baseline
Notes	No reply from the author to clarify method of randomisation and the withdrawal numbers due to side effects
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Unclear risk	B ‐ Unclear