Fig. 5

a Exacerbation and b Severe exacerbation rates per patient per year during the follow-up period a The annual rate of exacerbation was not significantly different between the ICS continued and withdrawal groups. b The annual rate of severe exacerbation in the ICS withdrawal group was statistically higher than that in the ICS continued group. * P = 0.031, relative risk (RR) 1.74 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.05–2.88] ** P = 0.038, RR 1.80 [95% CI: 1.03–3.14]. ICS continued group (n = 378): patients with triple therapy (n = 234) and those with non-triple therapy (n = 144). ICS withdrawal group (n = 77): patients with triple therapy (n = 54) and with non-triple therapy (n = 23). ICS = inhaled corticosteroids