What Harm Are We Doing to Our Patients with Asthma by Using High-Dose Inhaled Corticosteroids?

The editorial discusses the potential harm caused to asthma patients by using high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). While ICSs are effective in controlling asthma symptoms, they can lead to serious adverse effects, especially at higher doses. A study by Bloom and colleagues found that medium to high doses of ICSs significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular events, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia, with the highest risk associated with high-dose ICSs. The study suggests that high-dose ICSs, especially over the long term, should be avoided, and emphasizes the importance of step-back or step-down strategies in asthma management. [Extracted from the article]