Study shows steroids prevent desensitization to asthma treatment

MILWAUKEE A combination of steroids and beta-agonists is the most effective treatment for asthma, according to a study published Sept. 9 in the online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that steroids prevented the desensitization to beta-agonists that occurs after prolonged treatment in a study that is the first of its kind to use human lung tissue.

Treatments using beta-agonists alone can desensitize the airways to the medications, which reduces the efficacy of treatment and increases the risks of asthma exacerbations. Exposing the lung tissue to the beta agonists and the steroids, however, restored sensitivity or prevented resistance.