Eosinophilic airway inflammation is a main feature of unstable asthma in adolescents.

Background: Stability of asthma is a clinical phenotype of the disease based on long-term evaluation of control of asthma symptoms and its exacerbations. A relationship between airway inflammation and clinical classification of asthma based on stability criterion has not been well studied.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to analyze the inflammation profile of stable and unstable asthma in adolescents treated with moderate and high doses of inhaled corticosteroids.

Inflammatory markers as exacerbation risk factors after asthma therapy switch from inhaled steroids to montelukast.

Background: Asthma guidelines allow anti-leukotriene medications to be used as an alternative to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in second-step intensity therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors of exacerbations, particularly inflammatory markers, during the 12-month period following therapy reduction from an ICS to montelukast in young patients with mild asthma.

Methods: A total of 84 patients (aged 7-18 years old) with mild asthma controlled by low-dose ICS, had their treatment switched to montelukast.

Evaluation of step-down therapy from an inhaled steroid to montelukast in childhood asthma.

Background: Asthma guidelines allow antileukotriene medications to be used as an alternative to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in second-step intensity therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether asthma control can be maintained after reducing treatment from low-dose ICS to montelukast.

Methods: In this prospective, real-life 12-week trial, 84 young patients with asthma (7-18 years) controlled by low-dose ICS, had treatment switched to montelukast.

Impaired GH secretion in patients with SHOX deficiency and efficacy of recombinant human GH therapy.

Background/aims: Mutations of the short stature homeobox-containing (SHOX) gene on the pseudoautosomal region of the sex chromosomes cause short stature. GH treatment has been recently proposed to improve height in short patients with SHOX deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate GH secretion and analyze growth and safety of recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy in short children and adolescents with SHOX deficiency.