title: Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate in a Single Inhaler Device versus theophylline+fluticasone propionate in patients with COPD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the relative efficacy in terms of improvement in symptoms and lung function of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SLM/FP) combination administered through the Diskus inhaler versus theophylline (THEO) added to FP Diskus in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients were randomized to receive 4 months of treatment in one of two treatment groups: (1) fixed combination of SLM 50 microg and FP 500 microg Diskus, 1 inhalation twice daily; or (2) FP Diskus 500 microg, 1 inhalation twice daily, plus oral titrated THEO twice daily. Patients attended the clinic before and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of treatment for evaluations of pulmonary function, and dyspnea, which was assessed using an analogic visual scale. Also the supplemental salbutamol use was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  . Sixty-six patients completed the 4-month treatment period: 37 patients receiving SLM/FP and 29 patients receiving THEO+FP. Patients were withdrawn for various reasons, the most common of which were poor compliance with the protocol, exacerbation and GI events. A gradual increase in FEV(1) was observed with each treatment. Maximum significant increases in FEV(1) over baseline values that were observed after 4 months of treatment were as follows: SLM/FP 0.172 l (95% CI: 0.084-0.260) and THEO+FP 0.155 l (95% CI: 0.054-0.256). SLM/FP experienced significantly (p<0.05) greater improvements in dyspnea, and required significantly fewer supplemental salbutamol treatments than the THEO+FP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that SLM/FP combination may provide substantial benefits in both physiologic and clinical outcomes in symptomatic patients with COPD. It also causes a more effective control than THEO+FP.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine and Allergology Unit, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Via del Parco Margherita 24, 80121 Naples, Italy. mcazzola@qubisoft.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Noschese
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Centanni
authors.forename: Pierachile
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santus
authors.forename: Fabiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Marco
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spicuzza
authors.forename: Giuseppe Ugo
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Di Maria
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D013806:Theophylline; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol