ABSTRACT We aimed to determine the frequency of oropha- ryngeal candidiasis and its clinical correlates in the asthmatic patients who use fluticasone propionate (FP) as a dry powdered inhaler. We selected four groups of patients: 62 asthmat- ic patients who were taking 200 g/d FP, 122 asth- matics who were taking 500 g/d FP, 50 asthmatic patients who had not been on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment and 40 normal non-asthmatic sub- jects. The frequency of positive swabs for Candida colo- nization was higher in 500 g/d FP group than asth- matics without ICS use ( 2 = 6.8, p < 0.05) and normal controls ( 2 = 4.9, p < 0.05), whereas it wasn’t differ- ent in the 200 g/day FP group when compared to controls. When we considered patients who used ICS, the most effective variables affecting the occur- rence of Candida colonization were washing of the throat by the patients (OR = 9.4, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] = 3.9-22.7, p < 0.0001) and duration of ICS use more than 12 months (OR = 2.5, 95 % CI = 1.1-2.6, p < 0.05). The present study showed that in the patients who use ICS, the most important determinants on colonization were not washing the throat regularly and duration of ICS use for more than 12 months. Key words: Inhaled corticosteroids. Oropharyngeal candidiasis. Side effects. Asthma. Therapy. INTRODUCTION Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have the properties of low systemic potency coupled with a high topical an- tiinflammatory activity. Among the local side effects, hoarseness and oropharyngeal candidiasis are the most common and clinically limiting factors. These side effects occur due to the deposition of the drug in the oropharynx. The incidence of oral candidiasis has varied from 1 % to 77 % with ICS treatment probably because of the method which is used to de- tect it 1,2 . It is well known that the rates of colonization and infection are different entities. For example, Can- dida infection was reported as 22 %, whereas colo- nization was reported as 67 % in a certain dose 3 . In addition, the devices which deliver the drug such as volume spacers have been said to decrease oropha- ryngeal candidiasis 3 . Dry powdered forms of ICS have become very popular in recent years. We investigated Candida col- Allergol Immunopathol 2008;36(1):17-20 Oropharyngeal candidiasis with dry-powdered fluticasone propionate: 500 g/day versus 200 g/day E. Kurt a , H. Yildirim a , N. Kiraz b , A. Orman a , M. Metintas ¸ a , Y. Akgun b and S. Erginel a a Department of Chest Diseases. b Department of Microbiology. Osmangazi University. Faculty of Medicine. Eskis ¸ehir. Turkey. Correspondence: Dr. Emel Kurt Osmangazi University. Medical Faculty Department of Chest Disease 26480 Meselik. Eskisehir. Turkey Phone: + 90 (222) 239 29 79 (Ex. 3050) Fax: + 90 (222) 239 47 14 E-mail: heylul2002@yahoo.com Conflict of Interest Statement We have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study. We did not receive any financial support from the manufacturers of this drug.