Fluticasone/formoterol combination therapy is as effective as fluticasone/salmeterol in the treatment of asthma, but has a more rapid onset of action: an open-label, randomized study

2011

Fluticasone/Formoterol vs Fluticasone/Salmeterol for Asthma

Sample size: 202 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Bodzenta-Lukaszyk Anna, Dymek Andrzej, McAulay Kirsten, Mansikka Heikki

Primary Institution: Medical University of Białystok, Poland

Hypothesis

Is fluticasone/formoterol as effective as fluticasone/salmeterol in treating asthma?

Conclusion

Fluticasone/formoterol is as effective as fluticasone/salmeterol and has a more rapid onset of action.

Supporting Evidence

Fluticasone/formoterol was comparable to fluticasone/salmeterol for the primary efficacy endpoint.
Fluticasone/formoterol was superior in time to onset of action.
Both treatments had similar safety profiles.

Takeaway

This study shows that a new asthma treatment works just as well as an older one but helps people feel better faster.

Methodology

A 12-week, open-label, randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3 study.

Potential Biases

Potential for bias due to the open-label design.

Limitations

The study was open-label, which may affect the perceived efficacy.

Participant Demographics

Patients aged ≥ 18 years with mild-to-moderate–severe persistent asthma.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.007

Confidence Interval

95% CI: –0.161, 0.040

Statistical Significance

p = 0.007

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2466-11-28

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