Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol or budesonide: double-blind study.
Adjustable maintenance dosing with either budesonide/formoterol or budesonide was compared in asthma patients. This double-blind trial randomized 133 patients (mean forced expiratory volume in 1s 66% predicted) to receive 2 inhalations twice daily of budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 microg (640/18 microg/day) or budesonide 320 microg (1280 microg/day) for 4 weeks. The study drug was adjusted in both groups according to symptoms to 2-4 inhalations daily during Weeks 5-8 and 1-4 inhalations daily during Weeks 9-20. Asthma was well controlled in both groups, with minimal levels of treatment failure (5 budesonide/formoterol vs. 2 budesonide patients; P=NS) and minimal use of reliever therapy. Clinically important improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQL) occurred in the physical functioning and emotional role functioning domains (both P<0.05) for the budesonide/formoterol group compared with budesonide. Physician and patient treatment satisfaction favored budesonide/formoterol (both P<0.05). Budesonide/formoterol patients used fewer daily inhalations of study drug (P=0.024). The median average daily inhaled corticosteroid dose during the study was 448 microg with budesonide/formoterol and 1152 microg with budesonide. Adjustable maintenance dosing with budesonide/formoterol and budesonide resulted in high levels of asthma control. Adjustable budesonide/formoterol treatment achieved greater HRQL benefits and patient satisfaction, with lower overall drug use.
Pohl
W R
WR
Grimmenstein Hospital, Landesklinik Hochegg, Hocheggerstrasse 88, A-2840 Grimmenstein, Austria. w.pohl@landesklinik-hochegg.at
Vetter
N
N
Zwick
H
H
Hrubos
W
W
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D019819:Budesonide; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate