CAMP is the longest and largest controlled study of treatments for childhood asthma to date. It showed that inhaled corticosteroids provide superior asthma control. The inhaled corticosteroids significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, the heightened sensitivity in the airways that leads to asthma symptoms following exposure to certain irritants and allergens. However, their use did not result in the anticipated improvements in measures of lung function.
CAMP confirms their effectiveness while providing reassuring evidence about their safety.
Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease of childhood throughout the world, and its prevalence has been increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide. Childhood asthma is a leading cause of school absences resulting in more than 11 million lost school days a year. CAMP involved more than 1,000 children ages 5-12 with mild to moderate asthma. All children were also provided with a beta-agonist for use, as needed, to relieve symptoms. CAMP showed that the inhaled corticosteroid provided superior asthma control.