Triamcinolone in corticosteroid-resistant asthma.

In an uncontrolled study 38 patients with chronic asthma were treated for up to 4.5 years (mean 2.9) with depot injections of triamcinolone acetonide. About half had proved difficult to control on large doses of corticosteroid tablets. Three-quarters were helped and the incidence of hospital admission amongst them was reduced. Side effects were tolerable and adrenal function was only moderately depressed. Spirometry showed continuing improvement up to three years after starting triamcinolone. Whether similar improvement could have been achieved by a different dosage regimen of corticosteroid tablets or whether it might have ocurred spontaneously was not tested. A controlled trial seems warranted.