title: The effect of beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol extra-fine fixed combination on the peripheral airway inflammation in controlled asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suppression of small airway inflammation may contribute to achieving asthma control. We aimed to evaluate the additional effect of beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol (BDP/F) hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) (BDP/F-HFA 100/6 μg pMDI) on airway inflammation and functional parameters in asthma cases, who were optimally controlled by maintenance therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-five controlled asthmatic patients were included. They were grouped as Group 1 [budesonide/formoterol 320/9 μg dry powder inhaler (DPI)] and Group 2 (fluticasone/salmeterol 500/50 μg DPI) according to the combination they used. Then Group 3 was established by random selection from these two groups, and BDP/F-HFA 100/6 μg pMDI treatment was prescribed. All patients were evaluated in the beginning of the study and were re-evaluated at the end of a 3-week treatment period by spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels, and small airway functional indices, namely, Sacin and Scond values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant statistical difference in terms of age, height, weight, disease duration, symptoms, and spirometric parameters between the groups. There was a significant decrease in eNO levels in asthma cases who were on BDP/F-HFA therapy (p=0.001). A significant improvement in Sacin values at the end of the treatment period was observed in cases treated with BDP/F-HFA (p=0.001), indicating that inflammation was suppressed in peripheral airways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results emphasize that asthma treatment has mainly focused on the strategy to keep the disease under control; maintaining optimal functional level might be underestimated. BDP/F-HFA may have an additional favorable effect on the peripheral airway inflammation in the controlled asthma.
authors: 1 Dokuz Eylul University Medical School , Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Izmir, Turkey .
authors: Serpil
authors: S
authors: Bulac
authors: Arif
authors: A
authors: Cimrin
authors: Hulya
authors: H
authors: Ellidokuz
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D001944:Breath Tests; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D004338:Drug Combinations; D058995:Dry Powder Inhalers; D005260:Female; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011208:Powders; D001507:Beclomethasone; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate
keywords: aerosol distribution; clinical trial; inhaled therapy; lung function; small airways