title: Effects of short-term treatment with atorvastatin in smokers with asthma--a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The immune modulating properties of statins may benefit smokers with asthma. We tested the hypothesis that short-term treatment with atorvastatin improves lung function or indices of asthma control in smokers with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy one smokers with mild to moderate asthma were recruited to a randomized double-blind parallel group trial comparing treatment with atorvastatin (40 mg per day) versus placebo for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks treatment inhaled beclometasone (400 μg per day) was added to both treatment arms for a further 4 weeks. The primary outcome was morning peak expiratory flow after 4 weeks treatment. Secondary outcome measures included indices of asthma control and airway inflammation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 4 weeks, there was no improvement in the atorvastatin group compared to the placebo group in morning peak expiratory flow [-10.67 L/min, 95% CI -38.70 to 17.37, p = 0.449], but there was an improvement with atorvastatin in asthma quality of life score [0.52, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.87 p = 0.005]. There was no significant improvement with atorvastatin and inhaled beclometasone compared to inhaled beclometasone alone in outcome measures at 8 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term treatment with atorvastatin does not alter lung function but may improve asthma quality of life in smokers with mild to moderate asthma.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00463827.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Braganza
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McSharry
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.forename: Iona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jolly
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lafferty
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spears
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.forename: Neil C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001507:Beclomethasone