Cystic fibrosis: a hereditary inflammatory process

INTERVENTION: Inhaled HFA‐Beclomethasone Diproprionate (Qvar®) 200 mcg twice daily by aerochamber or a placebo (also inhaled by aerochamber). CONDITION: Cystic fibrosis ; Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine ; Cystic fibrosis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Pulmonary; 1. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) % after 3 years; 2. Rint measurements SECONDARY OUTCOME: Immunological:; 1. Neutrophil markers: MoPhabs A17 and A27, CD11b, CD11a; 2. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM1), sE‐Selectin, tumour necrotising factor alpha (TNFa); 3. End tidal carbon monoxide in exhaled breath; ; Microbiological:; 1. Respiratory pathogens in culture; ; Serological:; 1. Seroconversion to anti‐pseudomonal antibodies; ; Clinical: ; 1. Adverse events; 2. Clinical parameters (body weight, height, fat free mass); 3. Number of pulmonary exacerbations; 4. Antimicrobial agent use; 5. Quality of life questionnaire scores; ; Radiological:; 1. Chest radiograph scored by CF chest radiograph scoring systems INCLUSION CRITERIA: For 3‐years randomised controlled trial: 1. CF diagnosis as confirmed by sweat chloride test and/or genotyping 2. CF‐patients 2 ‐ 10 years old 3. Informed consent 4. Capable of using inhaled corticosteroids by aerochamber 5. Compliant to regular therapy