Assessment of the long-term safety of inhaled ciclesonide on growth in children with asthma

Effects of inhaled mometasone furoate on growth velocity and adrenal function: a placebo-controlled trial in children 4-9 years old with mild persistent asthma

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of long-term mometasone furoate delivered via a dry powder inhaler (MF-DPI) on growth velocity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in children with asthma.

STUDY DESIGN

Children aged 4-9 years with asthma (n = 187) were randomized to MF-DPI 100 μg (delivered dose; actuated dose is 110 μg) once daily in the morning (QD AM), 100 μg twice daily (BID), 200 μg QD AM, or placebo for 52 weeks followed by a 3-month follow-up period. The primary outcome was growth velocity calculated from stadiometric heights recorded at each visit. Secondary outcomes included serum and 12-h urinary cortisol, serum osteocalcin, and urinary N-telopeptide.

RESULTS

MF-DPI 100 μg QD AM treatment did not significantly affect growth velocity compared with placebo (-0.10 ± 0.31 cm/y, p = 0.76). When the effect of a total daily dose of 200 μg MF-DPI on growth velocity was examined, no significant effect was demonstrated for MF-DPI 100 μg BID compared with placebo (-0.64 ± 0.39 cm/y, p = 0.10), although the change in mean growth velocity with MF-DPI 200 μg QD AM reached statistical significance (-0.70 ± 0.29 cm/y, p = 0.02). The effects of all examined doses of MF-DPI on mean plasma cortisol levels were similar to cortisol changes seen in the placebo group, suggesting an absence of drug-related effects. No differences in 12-h urinary cortisol or other outcomes were observed between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

One year of treatment with a total daily dose of 100 μg of MF-DPI in the morning resulted in no significant difference, whereas a total daily dose of 200 μg of MF-DPI was associated with some changes in growth velocity when compared with placebo. The differences in growth velocity, and the absence of drug-related cortisol effects, support the use of a total daily dose of 100 μg of MF-DPI in children aged 4-9 years with mild persistent asthma.

Ciclesonide in wheezy preschool children with a positive asthma predictive index or atopy

BACKGROUND

Few large-scale studies have examined inhaled corticosteroid treatment in preschool children with recurrent wheeze. We assessed the effects of ciclesonide in preschool children with recurrent wheeze.

METHODS

We included children 2-6 yrs with recurrent wheeze and a positive asthma predictive index or aeroallergen sensitization to, excluding patients with episodic viral wheezing. After a 2-4-week baseline period, patients with ongoing symptoms or rescue medication use were randomised to once-daily ciclesonide 40, 80, 160 μg or placebo for 24 weeks.

RESULTS

The number of wheeze exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids was unexpectedly low in all groups: 25 (10.2%) in placebo group, as compared to 11 (4.4%), 18 (7.3%), and 17 (6.7%) in ciclesonide 40, 80, and 160 μg, respectively. The difference in time to first exacerbation was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.786), but the difference in exacerbation rates between placebo and the pooled ciclesonide groups was (p = 0.03). Large and significant (p < 0.0001) improvements in symptom scores and rescue medication use occurred in all groups, including placebo. Improvements in FEV(1) and FEF(25-75) (measured in 284 4-6 yr olds) were larger in the ciclesonide than in the placebo group. No differences in safety parameters (adverse events, height growth, serum and urinary cortisol levels) between ciclesonide and placebo were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In preschool children with recurrent wheeze and a positive asthma predictive index, ciclesonide modestly reduces wheeze exacerbation rates and improves lung function. A large placebo response and unexpected selection of patients with mild disease may have affected outcomes, highlighting the heterogeneity of preschool wheezing disorders.

Comparison of Inhaled Corticosteroids: What You Need to Know in Choosing a Product

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended by The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program's Expert Panel Report 3 for all levels of persistent asthma in the pediatric population. The recommended ICS doses are based on assessment of severity and control of asthma. The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the current ICSs are reviewed. While comparable efficacy can be achieved with equipotent dosing, some of the newer ICSs, fluticasone propionate, mometasone furoate, and ciclesonide, have pharmacokinetic profiles that produce less risk of systemic effects. However, at high doses systemic activity increases with all ICSs. The clinicians need to weigh the benefits and risks of these different products and dosing schemes in their patients for optimal use.

Scientific respiratory symposium, paris june 2010

At a 2010 Respiratory Symposium in Paris, chaired by Professors Bousquet and Roche of the University of Paris, recent trends in research, therapy and treatment guidelines for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were reviewed and discussed by a faculty of expert European and US respiratory physicians. This article reviews five key clinical presentations with particular emphasis given to the importance of small airways in the pathology and treatment of asthma and COPD. Further analysis of the economics of treatment in Europe and the US shows a wide variance in direct and indirect costs.

Azithromycin inhibits IL-5 production of T helper type 2 cells from asthmatic children

BACKGROUND

Childhood asthma is a type 2 helper T (Th2) cell-driven inflammatory airway disease characterized by recurrent episodes of airway obstruction. Azithromycin (AZM), a macrolide antibiotic exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity aside from its antibacterial effect, may prove beneficial for asthmatic children. This study aimed to determine the effect of AZM on Th2 cells from atopic asthmatic children and non-atopic controls.

METHODS

CD4+ cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 9 patients with asthma and 9 non-atopic individuals. Cells were activated as Th0 and differentiated into Th2 cells. The effect of AZM on activated CD4+ cells was evaluated with respective cell proliferation and cytokine production.

RESULTS

Th0 and Th2 CD4+ T cells from atopic asthmatic children produced greater interleukin (IL)-5 (Th2 cytokine) but lower interferon (IFN)-γ (Th1 cytokine) compared to the non-atopic controls, respectively. AZM inhibited IL-5 production of Th0 and Th2 cells from atopic asthmatics in a dose-dependent fashion, without significantly affecting their IL-13 and IFN-γ production. A similar effect was observed in non-atopic controls except that AZM did inhibit IFN-γ production of their Th0 cells. AZM at a higher dose decreased cell viability by inhibiting CD4+ T cell proliferation and enhanced their apoptosis, an effect similarly observed in Th0 and Th2 cells, and did not differ between asthmatic children and controls.

CONCLUSION

Our finding that AZM preferentially downregulates IL-5 production suggests its therapeutic potentials in controlling childhood asthma.

Dose response of inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the dose-response relationship (benefits and harms) of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in children with persistent asthma.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ≥2 doses of ICSs in children aged 3 to 18 years with persistent asthma. Medline was searched for articles published between 1950 and August 2009. Main outcomes of our analyses included morning and evening peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, asthma symptom score, β(2)-agonist use, withdrawal because of lack of efficacy, and adverse events. Meta-analyses were performed to compare moderate (300-400 μg/day) with low (≤200 μg/day beclomethasone-equivalent) doses of ICSs.

RESULTS

Fourteen RCTs (5768 asthmatic children) that evaluated 5 ICSs were included. The pooled standardized mean difference from 6 trials revealed a small but statistically significant increase of moderate over low doses in improving forced expiratory volume in 1 second (standardized mean difference: 0.11 [95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.21]) among children with mild-to-moderate asthma. There was no significant difference between 2 doses in terms of other efficacy outcomes. Local adverse events were uncommon, and there was no evidence of dose-response relationship at low-to-moderate doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with low doses, moderate doses of ICSs may not provide clinically relevant therapeutic advantage in children with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. Additional RCTs are needed to clarify the dose-response relationship of ICSs in persistent childhood asthma.

Efficacy and safety of ciclesonide in the treatment of 24,037 asthmatic patients in routine medical care

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety profile of ciclesonide (CIC) in the treatment of asthma was evaluated in a large patient population in a real-life setting in Germany.

METHODS

24,037 patients with persistent mild/moderate bronchial asthma were enrolled into three observational studies with identical design. Data were pooled and analyzed. Patients received ciclesonide (160 μg/day) and were observed for 3 months. FEV(1), PEF, NO, asthma episodes, use of rescue medication and adverse drug reactions (ADR) were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean (95% CI) FEV(1) significantly increased from 80.7 [80.5; 80.9]% of predicted at baseline to 90.1 [89.9; 90.2]% after 3 months (n = 20,297), mean PEF significantly increased from 338 [335; 340] l/min to 392 [390; 395] l/min (n = 8100). NO was significantly reduced from 53.6 [51.8; 55.4] ppb to 26.2 [25.2; 27.1] ppb (n = 971). The percentage of patients with daily symptoms declined from 24.3% to 1.9%, night-time symptoms from 13.3% to 1.3%, and β(2)-agonists use from 26.9% to 8.8%. ADRs were reported by 51 patients (0.2%). Most frequent ADRs were: dysphonia (n = 11), cough (n = 10), dyspnoea, throat irritation, and oral candidiasis (n = 5 each). 46 patients terminated the study prematurely, 41 due to ADR and 5 due to unknown/missing reason. One patient died due to cardiac failure (no causal relation).

CONCLUSION

These observational studies under real-life conditions support findings from controlled clinical studies regarding efficacy and tolerability of ciclesonide in patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma. No unexpected ADRs were detected.

Efficacy and safety of three ciclesonide doses vs placebo in children with asthma: the RAINBOW study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of three doses of ciclesonide (with or without spacer) in children with persistent asthma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week study of ciclesonide 40, 80 or 160 μg (once daily pm). Children (6-11 years) were randomised 1:1 to treatment via a metered dose inhaler (MDI) or MDI plus spacer. The primary variable was change from baseline in mean morning peak expiratory flow (PEF). Secondary variables included: time to first lack of efficacy (LOE), asthma control, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), asthma symptom score and quality of life (QoL). Safety assessments included: adverse events (AEs), urinary cortisol excretion and body height.

RESULTS

In total, 1073 children received treatment. At endpoint, mean morning PEF significantly improved with all doses of ciclesonide vs. placebo. There was no difference over placebo in time to first LOE, but ciclesonide was superior to placebo on asthma control, symptom score, FEV(1) and QoL. There were no differences between the spacer or non-spacer subgroups. The incidences of AEs were comparable between treatment groups (approximately 35%) and there were no between-group differences in body height or urinary cortisol.

CONCLUSIONS

Ciclesonide 40-160 μg once daily is effective and well tolerated in children with persistent asthma; its efficacy and safety are unaffected by the use of a spacer. clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT00384189.

Corticosteroid treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis: the possibilities and the limits

Chronic rhinosinusitis, including nasal polyps, is an inflammatory disease of the nose and sinuses. The medical treatment, mainly topical intranasal and oral corticosteroids, constitutes its first line of therapy. Long-term treatment with corticosteroid nasal spray reduces inflammation and nasal polyp size, and improves nasal symptoms such as nasal blockage, rhinorrea, and the loss of smell. Corticosteroid intranasal drops may be used when intranasal spray fails to demonstrate efficacy. Short courses of oral steroids are recommended in severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps or when a rapid symptomatic improvement is needed. Endoscopic sinus surgery is only recommended when the medical treatment fails. Intranasal corticosteroids should be continued postoperatively. When using intranasal corticosteroids, care should be taken in selected populations such as children, pregnant women, and elderly patients; especially in those patients with comorbid conditions such as asthma, in which the overall steroid intake can be high due to the administration of both intranasal and inhaled corticosteroids.

Similar Results in Children with Asthma for Steady State Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Ciclesonide Inhaled with or without Spacer

Background:

Ciclesonide is an inhaled corticosteroid administered by a metered dose inhaler (MDI) to treat bronchial asthma. After inhalation, the inactive ciclesonide is converted by esterases in the airways to active metabolite desisobutyryl-ciclesonide (des-CIC).

Aim:

To compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of des-CIC in children after administration of therapeutic dose of ciclesonide with and without spacer (AeroChamber Plus^™).

Methods:

Open-label, 3 period, cross over, repeated dose, PK study in 37 children with mild to moderate stable asthma (age: 6–11 y; body weight: 20–53 kg). During each 7-day treatment period, ciclesonide was inhaled once in the morning: A) 160 μg MDI with spacer, B) 80 μg MDI with spacer, and C) 160 μg MDI without spacer. Serum PK parameters of ciclesonide and des-CIC were determined on Day 7 of each period. The primary PK parameters were the AUC_τ and C_max for des-CIC.

Results:

Inhaling ciclesonide with spacer led to a dose proportional systemic exposure (AUC_τ) of des-CIC (0.316 μg*h/L for 80 μg and 0.663 μg*h/L for 160 μg). The dose-normalized systemic exposure for des-CIC (based on AUC_τ) was 27% higher after inhalation of ciclesonide 80 μg or 160 μg with spacer than without spacer; the corresponding C_max values for des-CIC were, respectively, 63% and 55% higher with spacer. No clinically relevant abnormalities or adverse drug reactions were observed.

Conclusions:

Inhalation of therapeutic ciclesonide dose with spacer led to a slight increase in the systemic exposure of des-CIC, which does not warrant dose adjustment.

Ciclesonide and the treatment of asthma

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) constitute the guideline-recommended first-line therapy for persistent asthma. However, concerns regarding ICS-related adverse events may contribute to their underutilization by physicians and patients.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

The currently available published data on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, safety and efficacy of the ICS, ciclesonide, is described. Peer-reviewed publications (1996 - 2009) on the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile, safety and efficacy of ciclesonide were reviewed.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

Ciclesonide is delivered as an inactive prodrug, which is cleaved to the active molecule by intracellular esterases located in the lungs. This and other pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties may limit the amount of active molecule outside the lung and may reduce the incidence of side effects. Randomized placebo-controlled studies found that ciclesonide can initiate and maintain disease control in subjects with persistent asthma of all disease severities. Moreover, studies have found that ciclesonide is as effective as other ICSs in establishing and controlling disease symptoms. Controlled clinical trials also showed that ciclesonide is associated with minimal systemic and local treatment-related adverse events.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Published findings indicate that ciclesonide is effective at initiating and maintaining asthma control and is well tolerated, with a positive safety profile.

Factors that affect the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids for infants and young children

Infants (0-1 years of age) and young children (1-3 years of age) are a unique subpopulation with regard to inhaled therapies. There are various anatomic, physiological, and emotional factors peculiar to this age group that present significant difficulties and challenges for aerosol delivery. Most studies of therapeutic aerosols that have been performed with patients of this age group, particularly recent studies with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), administered aerosols with relatively large particles (ie, >3 microm in mass median aerodynamic diameter). These drugs were designed for use in adults and older children and were administered with masks, which are frequently rejected by patients. Based on these studies, it was recently suggested that ICSs might not be as therapeutically effective in infants and young children as in adults. We review the reasons that large-particle corticosteroid aerosols are not likely to be effective in infants and young children. This patient population differs from adults in airway anatomy and physiology, as well as in behavior and adherence to therapy. We suggest that the benefit of ICSs in this age group requires further evaluation to determine whether better therapeutic outcomes might be achieved with smaller particles.

Optimizing maintenance therapy in pediatric asthma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There are different phenotypes of asthma, with phenotype-specific differences in medication response observed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Tobacco smoke exposure reduces corticosteroid responsiveness. Treatment for tobacco smoke-triggered asthma must start with treatment of tobacco dependence. Obesity-associated asthma responds to weight loss and treatment of comorbidities. Immunotherapy and omalizumab are specific therapies for atopic asthma, though its use is limited by expense, inconvenience, need for injections, and toxicities. Leukotriene modifier response is more prominent in viral-triggered asthma. Research on intermittent escalation of controller therapy for asthma shows best results when escalation is substantial and early. Inhaled corticosteroid medications in low-to-moderate doses remain the most important maintenance medication for a broad variety of asthma phenotypes, reducing both impairment and risk. When impairment is not fully controlled by an inhaled corticosteroid, combination with a long-acting beta-agonist, leukotriene modifier, or theophylline can be effective. Inhaled corticosteroid use in children does not appear to influence airway caliber or asthma severity after the medication is stopped.

SUMMARY

Optimizing maintenance therapy for asthma is not one size fits all. It is important to assess the asthma phenotype in addition to the symptom pattern, in determining optimal maintenance therapy.

Methodology and implications of knemometry in growth assessment of inhaled glucocorticoids

When validated recommendations for standardization and measurement procedures are used short-term assessment of lower leg growth by knemometry is a highly accurate and reproducible method for assessment of systemic activity of inhaled glucocorticoids. Crossover and parallel designs applying consistent measurement intervals can be used. Crossover designs with a single-blind run in and washout and double-blind active periods are as sensitive as designs using randomized placebo periods. In populations of children, short-term knemometry appears to be capable of defining specific glucocorticoids, application devices and doses that do not suppress long-term height growth. Although no specific cut-off level can be identified in individuals from the available randomized, double-blind short-term knemometry and intermediate-term height growth rate studies, good evidence have been provided that if the short-term lower leg growth suppression in populations of children is higher than approximately 25%, the risk of intermediate-term growth suppression becomes significant with a mean height growth rate retardation in the range of approximately 0.5-1.5 cm during the first year of treatment. Short-term knemometry should be performed as an integral part of the safety assessments of new inhaled glucocorticoids and inhalation devices in children with asthma, before intermediate-term height growth evaluations are initiated.

The effects of corticosteroids on bone growth and bone density

OBJECTIVE

To define the effects of both parenteral and inhaled corticosteroids on bone growth in children and the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis in children and adults.

DATA RESOURCES

Articles in PubMed and MEDLINE published from 1983 to 2008 were searched. Keywords used included corticosteroids and bone growth, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bisphosphonates.

STUDY SELECTION

Publications reviewed include randomized, placebo-controlled studies of both children and adults.

RESULTS

Because systemic and high-dose inhaled corticosteroids affect bone growth of children taking these medications, stadiometry should be used to measure the growth of children. Osteoporosis due to repetitive courses of oral or parenteral corticosteroids and inhaled corticosteroids can develop gradually in the aging adult. Prophylaxis against osteoporosis requires an index of suspicion, assessment of bone density, supplemental calcium and vitamin D, and use of bisphosphonates to prevent bone fractures that could compromise the patient's quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Preventing corticosteroid-induced effects on bone metabolism can allow effective treatment of allergic disease without long-term adverse effects.

Ciclesonide: a safe and effective inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma

Ciclesonide is a novel inhaled corticosteroid used in the continuous treatment of mild-to-severe asthma. Its formulation and mechanism of action yield a low oral and systemic bioavailability, and high pulmonary deposition. In multiple clinical trials, ciclesonide is at least as effective as either fluticasone propionate or budesonide at symptom control, while in many cases having improved safety outcomes and tolerability. The improved safety and comparable efficacy profiles of ciclesonide demonstrated in current studies could potentially yield a treatment option that may lead to improved adherence and outcome.

Ciclesonide: a review of its use in the management of asthma

Ciclesonide (Alvesco) is an inhaled corticosteroid used in the preventative treatment of persistent bronchial asthma in adults, adolescents and, in some countries, children. The drug is delivered by a non-chlorofluorocarbon hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) metered-dose inhaler (MDI). In the lungs, ciclesonide is converted to an active metabolite, which is responsible for the beneficial effects of the drug in patients with asthma. Ciclesonide and its active metabolite have low systemic bioavailability and therefore have a low potential to produce systemic adverse events. Inhaled ciclesonide delivered by HFA-MDI is effective in the prophylactic treatment of persistent asthma in adults, adolescents and children, and is generally well tolerated. In general, ciclesonide improves lung function and reduces asthma symptoms and rescue medication use in adults and adolescents with asthma of varying severity. The drug is generally no less effective than other inhaled corticosteroids with regard to maintaining or improving lung function and may have a more favourable tolerability profile than some other agents in this class. Ciclesonide has also shown efficacy in paediatric patients with asthma. Data on its long-term effects on other clinical outcomes, such as asthma exacerbations, would be of interest. Further comparative and long-term studies would also be beneficial in order to definitively position ciclesonide with respect to other inhaled corticosteroids. In the meantime, ciclesonide offers an effective and well tolerated first-line preventative treatment option for persistent asthma.

Efficacy and safety of ciclesonide once daily and fluticasone propionate twice daily in children with asthma

BACKGROUND

Ciclesonide is a new inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Information about its clinical efficacy and safety in relation to other ICS in children is needed for clinical positioning.

OBJECTIVE

This 12-week, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, three-arm, parallel-group study compared the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide with fluticasone propionate in children with mainly moderate and severe persistent asthma.

METHODS

Seven hundred and forty-four patients (aged 6-11 years) were randomized to ciclesonide (80 or 160 microg once daily) or fluticasone propionate (88 microg twice daily), following a 2-4-week run-in. Efficacy measurements included forced expiratory flow in 1s (FEV(1)), morning peak expiratory flow (PEF), asthma symptom scores, rescue medication use and quality of life. Systemic effect was assessed by 24-hour urine free cortisol adjusted for creatinine.

RESULTS

FEV(1) and morning PEF increased from baseline in all groups (p<0.0001). Ciclesonide 160 microg was not inferior to fluticasone propionate 176 microg for FEV(1) (p=0.0030, one-sided). In all groups, asthma symptom score sums and rescue medication use significantly improved (p<0.0001). The percentages of asthma symptom-, rescue medication- and nocturnal awakening-free days were high, with no significant differences between treatments. Quality of life scores improved with all treatments (p<0.0001). A significant dose-response occurred between low and higher doses of ciclesonide for exacerbations and asthma control definitions. The incidences of adverse events were comparable across treatments. Urine free cortisol levels decreased significantly with fluticasone propionate (p=0.0103), but not with ciclesonide.

CONCLUSION

Once-daily ciclesonide has a clinical effect similar to that of fluticasone propionate, but does not suppress cortisol excretion, in children with moderate and severe asthma.

Intranasal ciclesonide for allergic rhinitis

Ciclesonide is a novel corticosteroid which is optimized for topical use. It is a pro-drug which is activated locally in the airway mucosa, lipid-conjugated for local retention, and has very high protein binding in circulation leading to low systemic bioavailability. These characteristics should lead to highly selective activity with reduced local and systemic side effects. It has been established as an inhaled medication for asthma and has also been shown in double-blind trials to be efficacious for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. However no data have yet demonstrated superiority over existing nasal topical corticosteroids, either in terms of efficacy or adverse effects, and trials have not yet clearly shown efficacy in rhinitis in children. Therefore the place of ciclesonide in the treatment of allergic rhinitis relative to other existing products remains unclear.

Cortisol suppression as a surrogate marker for inhaled corticosteroid-induced growth retardation in children

Exposure of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in pediatrics results in adrenal suppression and growth inhibition. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of ICS mediated growth retardation with cortisol suppression in asthmatic children. A meta-analysis approach was performed with 33 published articles. Growth velocity (GV) data were obtained from the literature for evaluation of growth. Cumulative cortisol suppression within 24h (CCS%) was calculated at steady state with a validated algorithm. Consolidated GV and CCS% data were employed for model development. A linear mixed effects model was developed to adequately describe the relationship between GV and CCS%. No impact of tested covariates was observed. Population estimate of the rate of change in GV was -0.06cm/year/CCS% (12.7%, coefficient of variation) for both stadiometry and knemometry methods. However, GV from stadiometry is expected to be approximately three fold higher than that from knemometry when cortisol suppression was not presented. The final model was evaluated with posterior predictive check and pattern check approaches. The results from this study elucidate CCS% as an excellent predictor of ICS mediated growth retardation in asthmatic children.