Long-Term Budesonide or Nedocromil Treatment, Once Discontinued, Does Not Alter the Course of Mild to Moderate Asthma in Children and Adolescents

Mean values for measures of morbidity, lung function after the use of a bronchodilator, and bronchodilator reversibility during 9 years of follow-up after randomization to the budesonide, nedocromil, and placebo groups. A, Annual prednisone course rate. B, Annual urgent care visit rate. C, Postbronchodilator FEV₁ % of predicted. D, Postbronchodilator FVC % of predicted. E, Postbronchodilator FEV₁/FVC. F, Bronchodilator reversibility. All data to the left of the vertical line on each graph were obtained during the trial when participants were treated regularly with budesonide 200 μg twice daily, nedocromil 8 mg twice daily, or placebo. All data to the right of the vertical line on each graph were obtained during the posttrial follow-up period after regular treatment with study medications was discontinued. Budesonide; Nedocromil; Placebo.