Probability of successful inhaled corticosteroids cessation in preschool wheezers: a predictive score

Purpose: Nearly all asthma predictive tools estimate the future risk of asthma development. However, there is no tool to predict the probability of successful ICS cessation at an early age. Therefore, we aimed to determine the predictors of successful ICS cessation in preschool wheezers, and developed a simple predictive tool for clinical practice. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study involving preschool wheezers who had undergone an ICS therapeutic trial during 2015–2020 at the University Hospital, Southern, Thailand. A predictive scoring system was developed using a nomogram to estimate the probability of successful ICS cessation. We calculated area under ROC curve and used a calibration plot for assessing the tool’s performance. Results A total of 131 medical records were eligible for analysis. Most of the participants were male (68.9%). More than half of the preschool wheezers had successful ICS cessation after an initial therapeutic trial regimen. The predictors of successful ICS cessation were perinatal oxygen use [OR 0.10 (0.01, 0.70), P  = 0.02], allergic rhinitis [OR 0.20 (0.08, 0.56), P  = 0.002], blood eosinophil count > 500 cell/mm 3 [OR 0.20 (0.06, 0.67), P  = 0.008], and previous ICS use > 6 months [OR 0.30 (0.09, 0.72), P  = 0.009]. Conclusions Predictors of successful ICS cessation were: no perinatal oxygen use, no allergic rhinitis, blood eosinophil count < 500 cell/mm 3 , and previous ICS use < 6 months. A simple predictive score developed in this study may help general practitioners to be more confident in making a decision regarding the discontinuation of ICS after initial therapeutic trials.