Relative Potency of Inhaled Corticosteroids
Relative Potency of Inhaled Corticosteroids
To investigate the validity of a clinical model to determine the relative potency of
 different preparations of inhaled corticosteroids used for the treatment of asthma or of
 eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Sputum eosinophilia >3%

 -  Adults age 18-70 years

 -  History of episodic wheeze, chest tightness, dyspnea or cough within the last 12
 months.

 -  FEV1 ≥ 60% predicted

 -  Steroid naive or on not more than 500 µg a day of beclomethasone or equivalent.

 -  Able to give written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Recent asthma or COPD exacerbation (as judged by the clinician) due to respiratory
 infection within the last month

 2. Relevant seasonal allergen exposure within 4 weeks or within the course of the study

 3. Treatment with prednisone or antibiotics or hospitalisation within the past 6 weeks

 4. Other respiratory diseases

 5. Women who are pregnant or unwilling to use appropriate contraception during the study

 6. Unable to withhold short-acting ß-agonist treatment for 6 hours before visit