[Control of asthma by treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and prolonged action beta 2-agonists in free or fixed combination. Results of the ALISE study].
BACKGROUND
The basics of asthma treatment are well defined in the guidelines, however the criteria for the choice between fixed and free combinations of inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta 2-agonist have not been clearly established.


METHODS
A modified Juniper questionnaire (using peak expiratory flow rather than maximal expiratory volume per second) was used by 421 general practitioners to assess asthma control in 861 adult patients (aged 47 +/- 17 years) having received inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta 2-agonist in a fixed (n = 413) or free (n = 448) combination for at least 6 weeks.


RESULTS
Treatment groups were comparable for demographics, asthma history and severity as assessed by the physician. Despite better compliance to treatment in the fixed combination group and a mean daily dose of corticosteroids around two-fold greater compared with free combination group (913 +/- 450 micrograms/d vs 401 +/- 178 micrograms/d), the mean Juniper score was lower in the free combination group (1.60 +/- 0.94 vs 1.73 +/- 0.96) with a greater percentage of patients controlled (Juniper score < 2): 67.6% vs 60.8%. Other treatments for asthma were significantly less frequent with the free combination (14.2% vs 22.3%), as were local side effects and notably voice changes (3.3% vs 9.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The apparently greater efficacy/safety ratio of the free combination was probably due to the greater severity of asthma in the patients treated with a fixed combination. This highlights the interest of free combinations as first-line therapy for patient with mild to moderate asthma.
Serrier
Philippe
P
Service de pneumologie et réanimation, CHU Hôtel-Dieu, Paris.
Roche
Nicolas
N
Pello
Jean-Yves
JY
Larguier
Jean-Sylvain
JS
Mezzi
Karen
K
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D001507:Beclomethasone; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate