title: Effectiveness of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination delivered via the Diskus device in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: This randomized controlled trial examined the benefits of combining an inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate (F), with an inhaled long-acting beta(2)-agonist, salmeterol (S), to treat the inflammatory and bronchoconstrictive components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 691 patients with COPD received the combination of F and S (FSC), S (50 mcg), F (500 mcg), or placebo twice daily via the Diskus device for 24 weeks. A significantly greater increase in predose FEV(1) at the endpoint was observed after FSC (156 ml) compared with S (107 ml, p = 0.012) and placebo (-4 ml, p < 0.0001). A significantly greater increase in 2-hour postdose FEV(1) at the endpoint was observed after treatment with FSC (261 ml) compared with F (138 ml, p < 0.001) and placebo (28 ml, p < 0.001). There were greater improvements in the Transition Dyspnea Index with FSC (2.1) compared with F (1.3, p = 0.033), S (0.9, p < 0.001), and placebo (0.4, p < 0.0001). The incidence of adverse effects (except for an increase in oral candidiasis with FSC and F) was similar among the treatment groups. We conclude that FSC improved lung function and reduced the severity of dyspnea compared with individual components and placebo.
authors.affiliation: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA. donald.a.mahler@hitchcock.org
authors.forename: Donald A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wire
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horstman
authors.forename: Chai-Ni
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Tushar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011208:Powders; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011208:Powders; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol