Impact of Corticosteroid Therapy on Lifestyles in Asthmatic Children from Sri Lanka.

This study was conducted to ascertain the impact of inhaled corticosteroids therapy (ICS) in alleviation of lifestyle restrictions in 200 asthmatic children. 90 children on ICS were reviewed at 3 months. Restrictions on bathing, food, play activities and school attendance were found in >70%. These were not related to asthma severity. Following ICS, reduction in symptoms, hospital admissions, outpatient visits and nebulizations were noted between 67%-73%. Restrictions on bathing, food, play activities and school attendance had been waived off in 23%- 55%. We conclude that ICS significantly alleviated symptoms and lifestyle restrictions. However, the reduction on lifestyle restrictions was less than symptom control.