What should be monitored to assess the efficacy of corticosteroid use in asthma?

Monitoring improvements in lung function is crucial for assessing the efficacy of corticosteroid use in asthma. Corticosteroids, particularly inhaled forms, are effective in reducing inflammation in the airways, leading to better airflow and reduced incidence of asthma attacks. Common methods to evaluate lung function include measuring peak expiratory flow rates or spirometry, which can show improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). These measurements indicate that the corticosteroids are effectively controlling airway inflammation and improving the patient's ability to breathe.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not directly reflect the primary goal of corticosteroid therapy in asthma management. Changes in heart rate may indicate a response to medications or stress but do not specifically measure asthma control. Fluid intake and body weight can be relevant in different contexts, such as monitoring for side effects or overall health, but they do not provide direct information about lung function or asthma status. Therefore, tracking improvements in lung function is the best indicator of how well corticosteroids are working in managing asthma.