The Mannitol-Asthma-Ciclesonide-Study
The Mannitol-Asthma-Ciclesonide-Study
Response of a 4 weeks treatment with daily once 320 µg ciclesonide on airway
 hyperresponsiveness assessed with mannitol.

 Hypothesis: Treatment with inhaled ciclesonide reduces airway hyper-responsiveness in 80% of
 hyper-responsive patients compared to 20% only in the placebo group and the group without
 airway hyper-responsiveness.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Referred to the pulmonology department of the university hospital Basel because of
 suspected asthma defined as respiratory symptoms like wheezing or cough or chest
 tightness.

 -  Asthma symptoms partly controlled according to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma,
 October 2006) 1 week prior to randomization

 -  FEV1 ≥ 70% predicted

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Smoker and ex-smoker with >10 pack years

 -  COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

 -  Upper respiratory tract infection within the past 4 weeks.

 -  ICS or oral steroids during the previous month before inclusion

 -  beta-blockers within the past 4 weeks

 -  Current treatment with medication as defined in section concomitant medication (ICS
 other than study medication, ß-blockers)

 -  Pregnancy

 -  Known malignancy