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
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