[Effect of the long-acting beta-2 agonist inhalant formoterol on the quality of sleep of patients with bronchial asthma].
BACKGROUND
Patients with asthma bronchiale often complain of exacerbations during the night. Some anti-asthmatic drugs are known to impair the quality of sleep.


OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to prove the effect of the long-acting, inhaled beta-2-agonist formoterol on the quality of sleep in patients with mild or moderate asthma bronchiale.


METHODS
20 patients with asthma bronchiale (15 female, 21-75 years, O 33.3 years) without sleep disorder were evaluated by polysomnography during 3 nights. After one adaptation night, the patients were randomly assigned 24 micrograms of formoterol during one and placebo during the other night. The frequency of respiratory disturbances, arousals, sleep latency, sleep stages, sleep efficiency, motoric activity, and subjective impression of sleep quality were compared in both groups.


RESULTS
Respiratory disturbances were less, and the subjective impression of sleep quality was better with formoterol in 50% of the patients. The objective quality of sleep was slightly better with formoterol, but not significant (Tab. 1).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with mild or moderate asthma bronchiale, formoterol does not impair, probably slightly improves the quality of sleep.
Konermann
M
M
Medizinische Klinik, Marienkrankenhaus Kassel, akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Philipps-Universität Marburg.
Lück
G
G
Rawert
B
B
Pirsig
W
W
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate