Inclusion criteria and collection of baseline data
All eligible children had a documented diagnosis of preschool wheeze by
a healthcare professional and were prescribed maintenance ICS by their
clinician. Children with other significant primary pulmonary disorders
were excluded. All children were classified into one of two groups at
inclusion, based on pattern of symptoms. 1) Episodic viral wheeze (EVW):
wheezing during discrete time periods, with absence of wheeze between
episodes. 2) Multiple-trigger wheeze (MTW): wheezing in discrete
exacerbations, but also symptoms between episodes[6].
Assessments were made at a baseline visit at the start of the monitoring
period and at follow-up between 8-16 weeks later at the end of the
monitoring period. All visits were undertaken as part of routine clinic
visits, hence the variability in follow-up duration.