Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disorder characterized by the production of thick, sticky mucus that frequently obstructs the lungs which can lead to life-threatening lung infections and difficulties with the pancreatic ducts, preventing normal digestion and causing patient malnutrition.

Oral or inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone) slows the progression of this disorder but at levels of 1,000 micrograms or more per day), the drug can lead to significant symptoms related to adrenal suppression and insufficiency. In pediatric patients, the slowing of linear growth has Also, among pediatric patients, slowing of linear growth has been a problem for individuals taking the drug for a year or more.

In a new study that appeared in the second June 2006 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society, not using inhaled corticosteroid for six months exhibited no positive or negative effects in terms of major disease factors which include amount of lung function decline, number of antibiotics prescribed, time to onset of acute chest exacerbation or frequency of using a bronchodilator.

Such findings however, do not advocate stopping inhaled corticosteroid use in all CF patients but urging physicians to assess the need in each individual patients.

Read more at EurekAlert.