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Phase 3 Completed N=254 Randomized Quadruple-blind Treatment

Step-up Yellow Zone Inhaled Corticosteroids to Prevent Exacerbations

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02066129 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
254
Serious AEs
2.0%
Results posted
Jul 2018
Primary outcomePrimary: Asthma Exacerbations — 0.37; 0.48 exacerbations per year
◆ Published Evidence
Highly cited
143citations · ~18 / year
Quintupling Inhaled Glucocorticoids to Prevent Childhood Asthma Exacerbations.
The New England journal of medicine · 2018 · Open access · Likely link

Summary

The objective of this study is to determine whether, in children receiving low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), quintupling the dose of inhaled corticosteroids at the onset of symptoms previously associated with upper respiratory illnesses and subsequent asthma exacerbations reduces the rate of severe asthma exacerbations treated with oral corticosteroids.

Linked Publications (3)

  • Quintupling Inhaled Glucocorticoids to Prevent Childhood Asthma Exacerbations.
    The New England journal of medicine · 2018 · 143 citations · Open access · Likely link
  • The Fungal Microbiome of the Upper Airway Is Associated With Future Loss of Asthma Control and Exacerbation Among Children With Asthma.
    Chest · 2023 · 22 citations · Open access · Likely link
  • Modification of asthma treatment efficacy by healthcare access: A reanalysis of AsthmaNet Step-Up Yellow Zone Inhaled Corticosteroids to Prevent Exacerbations (STICS) clinical trial.
    Respiratory medicine · 2024 · 1 citation · Open access · Likely link

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Asthma Exacerbations
0.37; 0.48
SECONDARY
Yellow Zone Asthma Symptoms
20; 23
SECONDARY
Yellow Zone Albuterol Use
13; 15
SECONDARY
Unscheduled Emergency Department (ED) or Urgent Care Visits for Asthma
0.47; 0.64
SECONDARY
Number of Participants Hospitalized for Asthma
0; 4

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Physician-diagnosed asthma
  • At least 1 exacerbation treated with systemic (oral or injectable) corticosteroids in the past 12 months
  • Able to perform reproducible spirometry
  • Current treatment with step 2 controller therapy [low-dose ICS, leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA)] OR current treatment with step 3 controller therapy [low-dose ICS + long-acting beta agonist (LABA), low-dose ICS + LTRA, or medium dose ICS] with a childhood Asthma Control Test (c-ACT) score of >19, no more than 2 prednisone treated exacerbations in the past 6 months, prebronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume at 1 second (FEV1) ≥ 80% predicted and willing to step down therapy OR controller naïve and qualifying for step 2 controller therapy [asthma symptoms or short acting beta agonist (SABA) use > 2 days per week or night-time awakenings due to asthma > 2 nights per month]
  • Prebronchodilator FEV1 ≥ 60% predicted
  • Ability and willingness to provide informed assent
  • For females of childbearing potential: not pregnant, non-lactating, and agree to practice an adequate birth control method.
  • History of clinical varicella or varicella vaccine

Exclusion Criteria

  • Systemic (oral or injectable) corticosteroids within previous 2-week period
  • Current or recent (previous 2-weeks) use of medications known to significantly interact with corticosteroid disposition, including but not limited to carbamazepine, erythromycin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, and ketoconazole
  • Presence of chronic or active lung disease other than asthma
  • Significant medical illness other than asthma, including thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, hepatic disease, or concurrent medical problems that could require oral corticosteroids during the study
  • A history of cataracts, glaucoma, or any other medical disorder associated with an adverse effect to corticosteroids
  • History of a life-threatening asthma exacerbation requiring intubation, mechanical ventilation, or resulting in a hypoxic seizure
  • More than 5 prednisone treated exacerbations in the past 12 months
  • More than 1 hospitalizations lasting >24 hours for asthma in the past 12 months
  • History of adverse reactions to ICS preparations or any of their ingredients
  • Receiving hyposensitization therapy other than an established maintenance regimen (On maintenance regimen for ≥ 3 months)
  • History of premature birth before 35 weeks gestation
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02066129) and the linked publication. Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.

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