LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Regular beta-agonist therapy- the quality of the evidence In a recent issue of the Journal, LoFDAHL and SvEDMYR (1] discussed the evidence for and against a deleterious effect of regular inhaled beta-agonist therapy in asthma. Seven studies were quoted in support of the benefits of regular therapy f2- 8l, in contrast to one recent study which showed adverse effects [9]. We have carefully reviewed each of the seven studies quoted, examining the quality of the evi-dence on which arguments for and against regular beta-agonist therapy in asthma are made. SHEPHERD et al. [2] gave 18 asthmatics regular or as needed salbutamol in a one week cross-over trial. Despite the use of twice as much inhaled broncho-dilator (10.8 versus 5.7 puffs per day), symptom