Source: Annual Congress 2001 - Long-acting β2-agonists: clinical effects
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

There are conflicting reports on the effects of concomitant corticosteroids on bronchodilator responses in COPD (Corden & Rees, Respir Med 1998 ;92 :279–82). In a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled study, 780 patients with COPD were randomized to receive inhalation therapy with either formoterol (Foradil® Aerolizer™) 12 μg (F12) or 24 μg (F24) b.i.d., placebo (P), or ipratropium bromide 40 μg q.i.d. (IB) for 3 months. Patients were subdivided according to concomitant corticosteroid therapy (oral or inhaled vs none). The primary efficacy endpoint was the FEV₁ area under the curve (AUC) measured over 12 hours at 3 months; a difference of 120 mL was considered clinically significant. Treatment differences in FEV₁ AUC are shown below :

	Steroid users (n=405)		No steroid use (n=370)
	Difference (mL)	p-value	Difference (mL)	p-value
F24 vs P	221*	<0.001	187*	<0.001
F12 vs P	216*	<0.001	232*	<0.001
IB vs P	119	<0.001	155*	<0.001
*Clinically significant

In conclusion, in COPD patients, Foradil® delivered by the Aerolizer™ produces statistically and clinically relevant improvements in lung function compared with placebo, which are not influenced by concomitant corticosteroid treatment.


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Citations should be made in the following way:
A. P. M. Greefhorst, M. H. Thomson, A. Byrne, D. Till (Hengelo, The Netherlands; Horsham, United Kingdom). The efficacy of formoterol in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not influenced by concomitant corticosteroid use. Eur Respir J 2001; 16: Suppl. 31, 3474

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