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Poor adherence with inhaled corticosteroids for asthma: can using a single inhaler containing budesonide and formoterol help?
- Source :
- British Journal of General Practice; Jan2008, Vol. 58 Issue 546, p37-43, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Poor adherence with inhaled corticosteroids is an important problem in asthma management. Previous approaches to improving adherence have had limited success. AIM: To determine whether treatment with a single inhaler containing a long-acting beta(2)-agonist and a corticosteroid for maintenance treatment and symptom relief can overcome the problem of poor adherence with inhaled corticosteroids. DESIGN OF STUDY: Randomised, parallel group, open-label trial. SETTING: Forty-four general practices in Nottinghamshire. METHOD: Participants who used less than 70% of their prescribed dose of inhaled corticosteroid and had poorly controlled asthma were randomised to budesonide 200 microg one puff twice daily plus their own short-acting beta(2)-agonist as required (control group), or budesonide/formoterol 200/6 microg one puff once daily and as required (active group) for 6 months. The primary outcome was inhaled corticosteroid dose. RESULTS: Seventy-one participants (35 control, 36 active group) were randomised. Adherence with budesonide in the control group was approximately 60% of the prescribed dose. Participants in the active group used approximately 80% more budesonide than participants in the control group (448 versus 252 microg/day, mean difference 196 mug, 95% confidence interval 113 to 279; P<0.001) and were less likely to withdraw from the study (3 versus 13; P<0.01). No safety issues were identified. CONCLUSION: Using a single inhaler for both maintenance treatment and symptom relief approximately doubled the dose of inhaled corticosteroid taken, suggesting this could be a useful strategy to overcome the problems related to poor adherence with inhaled corticosteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09601643
- Volume :
- 58
- Issue :
- 546
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of General Practice
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 105725170
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp08x263802