[Beclomethasone dipropionate, in high dose, in the treatment of patients with chronic persistent asthma]

The efficacy of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) was examined in 8 patients with chronic persistent asthma, uncontrolled by inhaled bronchodilators and oral theophylline. Beclomethasone was administered at a dose of 1500 mcg a day, using a metered dose inhaler containing 250 mcg of BDP per dose. The medication was administered twice daily, three 250 mcg puffs at 8 A.M. and three at 8 P.M. The patients were assessed by means of clinical examination, diary records and daily Peak Flow Rate (PFR) measurement made at home. The therapeutic responses were measured over an 8-wk period. The clinical score (0-4) improved significantly (3.25 +/- 0.71 before and 0.75 +/- 0.89 after [p < 0.001]), and the peak flow rate rose from baseline mean value of 48.0% +/- 11.9 (predicted value) to 78.8% +/- 16.7% with significant improvement (p < 0.01). Of the total of 8 patients, 5 achieved complete control of symptoms and normal values of PFR, 1 remained with sporadic wheezing but with significant improvement of PFR and 2, despite the clinical efficacy in symptom relief, persisted without significant improvement on PFR values. Transitory hoarseness occurred in 1 patient. No other side-effects were observed.