Publication:

Efficacy of ciclesonide, budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in moderate persistent bronchial asthma: a comparative study

Background The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of ciclesonide with that of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in moderate persistent cases of bronchial asthma.

Methods This was an open label, randomized parallel group study done in Government General and Chest Hospital, Hyderabad for a period of 12 weeks. Each group had 20 patients. Group A was given ciclesonide inhalational therapy 160 mcg once daily. Group B was given budesonide inhalational therapy 400 mcg twice daily. Group C was given beclomethasone dipropionate inhalational therapy 400 mcg twice daily.

Results Symptomatic improvement was observed in all three groups. At end point, mean FEV1 in ciclesonide treatment group improved by 23.84% compared with 15.24% in budesonide and 12.93% in beclomethasone treatment groups. At end point, mean FVC value in ciclesonide treatment group improved by 6.44% compared with 1.5% in budesonide and 1.06% in beclomethasone groups. Mean FEV1/FVC also improved by 16.56% in ciclesonide group compared with 13.68% in budesonide and 11.93% in beclomethasone groups. No adverse effects were reported in any of the treatment groups.

Conclusions This study showed that ciclesonide is superior to budesonide and beclomethasone in improving lung function, decreasing symptoms and need for rescue medication in moderate persistent asthma.