Table 1

Summary of studies used in the meta-analysis

Reference	N	Study duration (weeks)	Doses of FP used (µg/day)	Device	FEV₁ (% predicted) range (mean)	Age range (mean)	Baseline ICS usage	FEV₁	amPEF	pmPEF	β agonist use	Withdrawals due to asthma
N = number of subjects; FP = fluticasone; ICS = inhaled corticosteroid; BDP = beclomethasone dipropionate.
Chervinsky⁶	331	8	50	MDI	60–90 (72)	⩾18 (38)	8–16 puffs BDP/day	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
			200
			1000
Wolfe⁷	281	12	200	MDI	(65)	12–87 (34)	0	×	✓	✓	✓	✓
			500
			1000
Lawrence⁸	261	6	200	Diskhaler	50–80 (66)	18–71 (38)	⩾400 µg BDP/day	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
			1000
Wasserman⁴	321	12	100	Diskhaler	50–80	12–74 (29)	⩾0	✓	✓	✓	×	✓
			200
			500
Pearlman⁹	342	12	100	Diskhaler	50–80 (67)	12–72 (35)	⩾0	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
			200
			500
Ind²	496	24	500	MDI		16–75 (45)	1000–1600 µg /day	×	✓	×	×	×
			1000
Raphael³	399	12	200	MDI	45–80 (65)	12–72 (38)	8–12 puffs BDP/day	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
			500