Rafferty 1985.
Methods | Setting: UK, hospital outpatient clinic Length of intervention: variable Design: crossover Randomisation: yes, method not stated Allocation concealment: unclear Masking: double blind Excluded: not stated Withdrawals: stated Baseline characteristics: no data regarding baseline spirometry of subjects, wide range for duration of asthma, duration of oral steroid use and inhaled steroid use. Jadad score: 3 | |
Participants | 40 adults randomised, 26 completed study: 12 M 14F Age range: 23‐72 years Inclusion criteria: "Severe chronic asthma", being treated with at least 5mg oral prednisolone per day and inhaled BDP 400 mcg daily for at least 9 months Exclusion criteria: Any patient whose dose of oral prednisolone had been adjusted in the last 3 months | |
Interventions | 1. BDP: 200 mcg 1puff 4xdaily (800 mcg/d) via MDI 2. BUD 200 mcg 2 puffs 2xdaily (800 mcg/d) via MDI+Inhalet spacer 3. BUD 200 mcg 4 puffs 1xdaily (800 mcg/d) via MDI+Inhalet spacer |
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Outcomes | Reduction in daily prednisolone dose (mg/d) | |
Notes | No reply from author to clarify details of randomisation procedure or regimen for tapering prednisolone dose. | |
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | B ‐ Unclear |