title: Budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy: an effective asthma treatment option?
abstract: This 12-month dose-titration study assessed the effectiveness of budesonide/formoterol for maintenance plus relief with a control group using salmeterol/fluticasone for maintenance plus salbutamol for relief. Adolescents and adults (n = 2,143; mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 73% predicted; mean inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) 884 microg.day(-1)) were randomised to budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 microg two inhalations b.i.d. plus additional inhalations as needed, or salmeterol/fluticasone 50/250 microg b.i.d. plus salbutamol as needed. Treatment was prescribed open label; after 4 weeks, physicians could titrate maintenance doses in accordance with normal clinical practice. Maintenance plus as-needed budesonide/formoterol prolonged the time to first severe exacerbation versus salmeterol/fluticasone (25% risk reduction). The total number of severe exacerbations was significantly reduced in the budesonide/formoterol group (255 versus 329). Both regimens provided sustained improvements in symptoms, as-needed use, quality of life and FEV1, with differences in favour of the budesonide/formoterol group for as-needed use (0.58 versus 0.93 inhalations.day(-1)) and FEV1 (post-beta2-agonist values). Mean ICS dose during treatment was similar in both groups (653 microg budesonide.day(-1) (maintenance plus as-needed) versus 583 microg fluticasone.day(-1)). The simplified strategy using budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and reliever therapy is feasible, safe and at least as effective as salmeterol/fluticasone plus salbutamol.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum der Philipps-Universität Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany. Claus.Vogelmeier@med.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vogelmeier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Urzo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Merino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaspal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boutet
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naya
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D019819:Budesonide; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate