Summary of studies used in the meta-analysis
| First author [ref.] | Subjects n | Study duration weeks | Doses of bud used µg·day−1 | Device | FEV1 % pred range (mean) or PEF | Age yrs range (mean) | Baseline ICS usage | FEV1 | Morning PEF | Evening PEF | β‐agonist use | Exacerbations | Symptom score |
| Busse 11 | 473 | 12 | 200,400, 800, 1600 | Turbuhaler | 40–75 (65) | 18–70 (44) | 300–1000 BDP·day−1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Miyamoto 13 | 267 | 6 | 200, 400, 800 | Turbuhaler | 50–80 | Adult (51) | Not for 1/12 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Kemp 12 | 273 | 12 | 400, 800 | Turbuhaler | 50–80 (67) | 18–70 (39) | Not for 6/12 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lorentzson 14 | 103 | 6 | 200,400 | MDI+spacer | 80 | 16–59 (32) | 0 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| O'Byrne 15 | 57 | 16 | 400,800 | MDI+spacer | ≥18 (35) | 0 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Pirozynski 16 | 262 | 4 | 200,800 | Turbuhaler | (82) | (36) | 0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
PEF: peak expiratory flow
ICS: inhaled corticosteroid
MDI: metered-dose inhaler
bud: budesonide
BDP: beclomethasone dipropionate