Abstract

INTRODUCTION:  It has been suggested that change of inhaler may influence asthma control. However, meta-analyses indicate that all inhalers can achieve the same therapeutic effect if patients can apply the correct inhalation technique.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was to demonstrate non-inferiority of asthma control when switching inhaler from Symbicort Turbuhaler to Bufomix Easyhaler.

METHODS: This was an open, prospective, non-interventional, multicentre, single arm study.  Adult asthmatics using Symbicort Turbuhaler regularly for at least six months were consecutively recruited from seven Swedish primary health care centres and switched to Bufomix Easyhaler with the same dose. Asthma Control Test (ACT), Mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ) and spirometry were performed before switching inhalers and after 12 weeks. Check of inhaler technique was performed before switching and two weeks after switching according to the centres routine.

RESULTS: Altogether 125 patients were included and 117 completed the study. Five patients were lost to follow up and 3 due to adverse events. ACT mean score improved from 19.04 to 20.76 (p=0.001, 95%CI 0.81-2.63) and Mini-AQLQ mean score improved from 5.44 to 5.78 (p=0.001, 95%CI 0.18-0.49), neither of them considered as a clinically important improvement. Spirometry, FEV1 and FVC percent of predicted showed no statistically or clinically significant changes.

CONCLUSION:
Patients switching from Symbicort Turbuhaler to Bufomix Easyhaler had equivalent or better results regarding patient´s control of their asthma.