Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The authors did not state an a priori research design. Included studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies, case-control studies and questionnaires. Some of the RCTs were open and/or crossover in design. Only 13 of the studies were double-blinded.
Specific interventions included in the review
The authors stated an a priori intention to look at inhaled corticosteroids. The studies included in the review looked at both inhaled and oral corticosteroids.
Interventions included inhaled corticosteroids (triamcinolone acetonide, fluticasone propionate, budesonide, beclomethasone dipropionate, or flunisolide), and salmeterol xinafoate, cromolyn sodium, theophylline, albuterol sulfate and budesonide as intervention or control or bronchodilator or placebo.
The oral corticosteroid prednisone was used in control groups. Interventions were administered orally or by using inhalers (pressurised metred-dose inhaler (pMDI), dry powder inhaler (DPI), or spacer). Doses ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 mg/day for inhaled corticosteroids and 2 to 20 mg/day for oral corticosteroids.
Participants included in the review
Healthy volunteers as well as asthmatic children and adults. For children, ages ranged from 1 to 15 years (mean age within studies ranged from 6.2 to 13 years). For adults, mean age within studies ranged from 28 to 60 years).
Outcomes assessed in the review
Adverse effects on adrenal gland, growth, bone, skin, and eye.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.