A recent study published in the ‘Journal of Asthma’, found that targeting small airways with high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) using a smart nebulizer led to significant reduction of exacerbations after one year of treatment. This retrospective study was conducted in 31 children with severe asthma with an aim to determine whether targeting high dose ICS to small airways could reduce rates of exacerbation in children with severe asthma.

The key findings were as follows:

• Median number of asthma exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (OCS) courses previously, decreased from 2 to 0.5, 1 year after ICS treatment with smart nebulizer.
• The median exacerbation rate decreased by more than 50% after ICS treatment with smart nebulizer.
• Hospital admission decreased from 1 to 0 after ICS treatment with smart nebulizer.
• During treatment with smart nebulizer, nominal daily ICS dose could be reduced in majority of patients.
• Increased lung deposition as a result of small airways targeted treatment is also beneficial in reducing side effects.

In conclusion, the results of the study confirmed that treatment with smart nebulizer technology, targeting small airways improves severe asthma in children after one year of treatment.