Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity
07:13

Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity

Published on: January 6, 2015

Inhaled corticosteroids and lower lung function decline in young children with cystic fibrosis

K De Boeck1, F Vermeulen, S Wanyama

  • 1Paediatric Pulmonology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

The European Respiratory Journal
|November 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) was linked to slower lung function decline. This benefit was most significant in younger children aged 6-12 years.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting lung function.
  • Previous studies suggested inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may slow lung function decline in CF patients.
  • The impact of ICS on lung function in Belgian CF patients required further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment on lung function decline in Belgian cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
  • To compare lung function changes in CF patients with and without ICS use.
  • To identify age-specific effects of ICS on CF lung function.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from Belgian CF patients aged 6 years and older.
  • Inclusion criteria: consecutive yearly data on lung function, height, and ICS use.
  • Exclusion criteria: data following oral steroid use or lung transplantation.
  • Analysis of 2,976 data pairs from 852 subjects, with 44.9% representing years of ICS use.

Main Results:

  • Yearly decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) was 1.07% lower in patients using ICS (p = 0.001).
  • This reduced FEV₁ decline was statistically significant in children aged 6-12 years (2.56% lower, p = 0.0003).
  • While overall ICS users had lower baseline FEV₁, this difference was not observed in the 6-12 year age group.

Conclusions:

  • Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use is associated with a slower rate of lung function decline in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).
  • The protective effect of ICS on lung function is particularly pronounced in younger children (6-12 years).
  • Findings support previous registry analyses and suggest ICS as a beneficial treatment for lung function in pediatric CF patients.

More Related Videos

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System07:28

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis05:56

Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: August 29, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic sinusitis...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...