Higher patient perceived side effects related to higher daily doses of inhaled corticosteroids in the community: A cross-sectional analysis

The range and extent of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) side effects experienced by patients in the general community are likely to be underestimated. Aims: To identify the side effects of ICS perceived by patients in the community and, through the use of a self-report questionnaire, measure their intensity, prevalence and relationship with daily medication dose. Methods: Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted to identify side effects that patients associated with their use of ICS. In an international multicentre cross-sectional survey, 395 inhaler users from community pharmacy (mean age 50, 53% female), divided into 4 daily dosage groups (beta(2)-agonist without ICS n = 66, beclometasone dipropionate (BDP) equivalent ICS low dose <= 400 mu g, n = 109; mid dose 401-800 mu g, n = 15 1; and high dose > 800 mu g, n = 69) reported how much they were affected by these side effects on a 7-point Likert scale.