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Effects of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate on serum IgE levels and clinical symptoms in atopic asthma
Author(s) -
Takashi Ohrui,
Takako Funayama,
Kiyohisa Sekizawa,
Mutsuo Yamaya,
Hidetada Sasaki
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1999.00474.x
Subject(s) - asthma , immunoglobulin e , medicine , immunology , antibody
Background A high serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E level is considered a potent predictor for the development of asthma and IgE is targeted for treatment of asthma. Although inhaled corticosteroids are well established in the treatment of asthma, the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on serum IgE levels in asthma remain uncertain. Methods We therefore examined asthma symptoms, concentrations of total serum IgE and specific IgE antibodies to selected allergens, blood eosinophil counts and lung functions before and 3 months after treatment with either inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP; 800 μg/day) ( n = 7) or inhaled β 2 ‐agonists alone ( n = 7) in patients with atopic asthma in a randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group controlled trial. Results Inhaled BDP significantly improved asthma symptom scores and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and decreased blood eosinophil counts, total serum IgE levels and specific IgE antibodies to house dust mite and cedar. Decreases in total serum IgE significantly correlated with an improvement in asthma symptom scores. In contrast, none of parameters altered in patients with atopic asthma treated with inhaled β 2 ‐agonists alone. Conclusions Inhaled corticosteroids may improve the subsequent clinical course of atopic asthma in association with a reduction of serum IgE levels.