Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of throat and voice symptoms in asthma patients using pressurized aerosol, metered-dose, inhaled corticosteroid preparations. A questionnaire was administered to hospital out-patients in an asthma clinic and to a control group attending a diabetic clinic. Two hundred and fifty five consecutive out-patients using pressurized aerosol inhaled corticosteroids and 100 controls were surveyed. One hundred and forty seven (58%) patients taking inhaled steroids reported voice dysphonia or throat symptoms compared with 13% of control patients. Women admitted to symptoms more frequently than men. Throat symptoms were more prevalent in patients using higher doses of inhaled steroid. Aerosol inhaler-induced cough was reported by 87 (34%) patients. Local side-effects were equally prevalent both with beclomethasone dipropionate and budesonide aerosol inhalers. The use of a large volume spacing device with either steroid aerosol did not appear to protect against these symptoms. Local side-effects are common in asthmatics taking pressurized aerosol, metered-dose, inhaled steroids.
