Budesonide Turbuhaler delivered once daily improves health-related quality of life and maintains improvements with a stepped-down dose in adults with mild to moderate asthma.
BACKGROUND
Budesonide inhalation powder administered via Turbuhaler (budesonide Turbuhaler, AstraZeneca LP, Wilmington, DE) is proven efficacious and safe in the treatment of mild to severe asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of once-daily budesonide Turbuhaler on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adults with mild to moderate asthma.


METHODS
In this double-blind, parallel-group study, 309 asthmatic patients between 18 and 70 years of age were randomized to receive once-daily treatment with budesonide 200 or 400 microg or placebo for 6 weeks. Patients initially receiving 400 microg budesonide had their dose reduced to 200 microg (400/200-microg group), and patients receiving 200 microg (200/200-microg group) or placebo continued to receive their assigned doses for a 12-week maintenance phase. HRQL was evaluated using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire at randomization, week 6, and week 18.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, patients initially receiving 400 and 200 microg budesonide Turbuhaler demonstrated significantly greater HRQL scores at week 6 (P < or = 0.001 and P < or = 0.010, respectively) that were maintained at week 18 (P < or = 0.001). Clinically important (> or = 0.5 unit) improvement in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire overall at week 18 was demonstrated by 55% and 43% of patients in the 400/200-microg and 200/200-microg budesonide Turbuhaler groups, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with mild to moderate asthma, once-daily budesonide Turbuhaler 200 and 400 microg demonstrates statistically significant and clinically important improvements in HRQL that can be maintained with a low dose of 200 microg.
Casale
Thomas B
TB
Department of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA. tbcasale@creighton.edu
Nelson
Harold S
HS
Kemp
James
J
Parasuraman
Bhash
B
Uryniak
Thomas
T
Liljas
Bengt
B
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011788:Quality of Life
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D019819:Budesonide