Impact of Fluticasone Diskhaler on health-related quality of life in asthmatic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess effect of a breath-actuated inhaled steroid, Fluticasone Diskhaler (Flutide) on health-related quality of life in asthmatic patients using Hyland's living with asthma questionnaire (LWAQ).


METHODS
Randomly selected asthmatic patients filled out the LWAQ (the first study). Then, the eight physicians switched inhaled steroid from pressurelized metered-dose inhaler of beclomethasone (BDI) to Flutide according to their own decision. Consequently some patients were switched their prescriptions and others were not. In 12 weeks after the first study, all the patients again filled out the LWAQ (the second study).


RESULTS
The patients treated with Flutide were 87 and without were 159. The scale scores of the Flutide group (mean, 1.900) were significantly higher than those of the BDI-group (mean, 1.789). In the second study, there was no significant difference between the scale scores in the two groups (mean, 1.782 vs. 1.705). Among the 8 domains, only medication score significantly decreased by Flutide therapy. More than 80% of the patients favored easy handling of Flutide including no necessity of the spacer.


CONCLUSIONS
Flutide therapy significantly improved quality of life in asthmatic patients. The possible mechanisms are the stronger effectiveness of fluticasone propionate and improvement of adherence to inhaled steroid.
Kondo
Tetsuri
T
Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Tanigaki
Toshimori
T
Ono
Yoshiaki
Y
Tazaki
Gen
G
Urano
Tetsuya
T
Tajiri
Sakurako
S
Eguchi
Kenji
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone; D001507:Beclomethasone