ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of three-stage sequential therapy on the functions of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis and levels of the glucocorticoid receptor in patients with steroid-dependent asthma.Methods:55 patients with SDA were divided randomly into two groups,29 patients were treated with three-stage sequential recipes plus Pulmicort Turbuhaler(400?g/d)in the treatment group,while the other 26 patients with Pulmicort Turbuhaler(800?g/d)in the control group. The therapeutic courses were both 12-14 weeks.The plasma concentrations of ACTH and COR and the levels of PBMC GCR were determined before and after treatment.Results:The plasma concentrations of ACTH and COR and the levels of PBMC GCR in the two groups were all increased remarkably and there were significant difference between the two groups after treatment(P