Source: Annual Congress 2002 - Asthma - Therapy and management -1
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

AIM(S):The Symbicort Adjustable Maintenance Plan is designed to gain and maintain optimal asthma control with a lower overall dose of budesonide/formoterol (B/F; Symbicort® Turbuhaler®) than fixed dosing. METHODS:Patients (mean age 48 y) were randomised to adjustable maintenance (n=782; B/F 2 inhalations bid for 4 weeks, thereafter 1–4 inh bid depending on symptoms for 12 weeks) or fixed B/F dosing (n=771; 2 inh bid for 16 weeks). Primary efficacy variables were reduction in symptom severity (according to GINA definitions) and total exacerbations. RESULTS: Changes in symptom severity are shown below:

			Symptom severity
	Screening (week 0)		Baseline (week 4)		Endpoint (week 16 or time of withdrawal)
	A*	F**	A	F	A	F
No. patients	775	766	775	766	754	737
Severity status (%)
Severe persistent	6	6	4	4	4	4
Moderate persistent	45	47	34	33	25	25
Mild persistent	31	29	32	31	31	30
Mild intermittent	18	19	30	33	40	40

*A=adjustable; **F=fixed.
94% of patients (both groups) reported no exacerbations. The average number of inhalations was 15% lower in the adjustable group. CONCLUSIONS:Patients treated with both adjustable and fixed-dose B/F combination demonstrated a reduction in symptom severity. Overall there was a 46% reduction in patients graded as moderate persistent and a doubling of patients categorised as mild intermittent. A reduced overall daily dose was observed in the adjustable arm.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
P. Ind, J. Haughney, D. Price, J. P. Rosen, J. Kennelly (London, Luton, United Kingdom). 4-month adjustable or fixed maintenance treatment with budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler reduces symptom severity. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: Suppl. 38, 378

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