Patient-reported outcomes in adults with moderate to severe asthma after use of budesonide and formoterol administered via 1 pressurized metered-dose inhaler.
BACKGROUND
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important for evaluating asthma therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate PROs in adults with moderate to severe persistent asthma receiving budesonide and formoterol administered via 1 pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI).


METHODS
This 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, multicenter study randomized 596 patients 12 years or older to budesonide/formoterol pMDI 160/4.5 microg x 2 inhalations (320/9 microg); budesonide pMDI 160 microg x 2 inhalations (320 microg) + formoterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) 4.5 microg x 2 inhalations (9 microg); budesonide pMDI 160 microg x 2 inhalations (320 microg); formoterol DPI 4.5 microg x 2 inhalations (9 microg); or placebo, each twice daily, after 2 weeks of budesonide pMDI 80 microg x 2 inhalations (160 microg) twice daily. PROs were assessed in 553 patients 18 years or older using the standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ[S]), Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) Sleep Scale, Patient Satisfaction With Asthma Medication (PSAM) questionnaire, diary data, and global assessments.


RESULTS
Patients receiving budesonide/formoterol reported significantly greater improvements from baseline on the AQLQ(S) and asthma control variables (based on symptoms and rescue medication use; all P < .001) vs placebo. Clinically important improvements (increase of > or = 0.5 points) from baseline to end of treatment in AQLQ(S) overall scores were achieved by 43.6% of patients receiving budesonide/formoterol vs 22.6% of patients receiving placebo (P = .001). The MOS Sleep Scale scores generally showed no differences among treatment groups. Patients receiving budesonide/formoterol had significantly greater PSAM questionnaire scores and better outcomes on physician-patient global assessments at end of treatment vs placebo (all P < or = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Significantly greater improvements in health-related quality of life and asthma control and greater treatment satisfaction were observed with budesonide/formoterol pMDI vs placebo.
Chervinsky
Paul
P
Northeast Medical Research Associates, Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747, USA. cchervinsky@pol.net
Baker
James
J
Bensch
George
G
Parasuraman
Bhash
B
Boggs
Robert
R
Martin
Paula
P
O'Dowd
Liza
L
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069502:Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000069502:Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D019819:Budesonide; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate