"Steroid-phobia" in asthma management.

Excellent clinical results were obtained in 85 patients with chronic asthma who took corticosteroids (mostly triamcinolone) on a long-term basis for periods varying from one to 26 years. There was a minimum of side-effects, none serious; the most discomforting were ecchymosis and a tendency to easy bruising. The results of this and previous studies have convinced the author that corticosteroids, if judiciously used, are the most valuable adjunct we have in the treatment of acute and chronic asthma.