Does Inhaled Busedonide or Fluticasone Impair Adrenal Function?

Low Dose(1mcg) ACTH Stimulation Test for Assessment of the Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal Axis in Patients Treated With Inhaled Busedonide or Fluticasone.

Inhaled corticosteroids are largely used in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive lung diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of inhaled corticosteroids is associated with suppression of endogenous cortisol production, as seen in patients treated with pharmacologic doses of oral or parenteral steroids.

The normalcy of the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of enrolled subjects will be assessed by low dose (1mcg) corticotropin (ACTH)stimulation test. Serum cortisol levels will be measured before , 30 minutes and 60 minutes after 1 mcg ACTH intravenous injection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients receiving inhaled busedonide or fluticasone at daily dose of 200-800 mcg ' for at least 4 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients receiving any corticosteroid therapy, except inhaled busedonide or fluticasone.