Inhaled Corticosteroids for Cystic Fibrosis: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness

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Project Line:
Health Technology Review
Project Sub Line:
Summary with Critical Appraisal
Project Number:
RC1082-000

Question

    What is the clinical effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids for the management of patients with cystic fibrosis?

Key Message

Evidence of limited quality from one systematic review reporting study-level findings and one randomized controlled trial suggested that routine use of inhaled corticosteroids in children and adult cystic fibrosis patients is not significantly more effective than placebo or non-steroid medication in improving lung function as indicated by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC).Evidence of limited quality from one systematic review and one retrospective study analyzing registry data reporting study-level finding suggested that inhaled corticosteroids use in cystic fibrosis patients may significantly reduce growth rate in terms of height compared with placebo.Evidence of limited quality from one retrospective study analyzing registry data suggest that the use of inhaled corticosteroids in children (six to 12 years old) with cystic fibrosis may decrease the yearly rate of decline in lung function.