Effect of Switching from Salmeterol/Fluticasone to Formoterol/Budesonide Combinations in Patients with Uncontrolled Asthma

Background: Combination therapy with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long-acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA) in a single inhaler is the mainstay of asthma management and salmeterol/fluticasone combination (SFC) and fixed-dose formoterol/budesonide combination (FBC) are currently available in Japan; however, there is nothing to choose between the two. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of switching from SFC to FBC in patients with asthma not adequately controlled under the former treatment regimen. Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled longitudinal study in 87 adult patients with an Asthma Control Questionnaire, 5-item version (ACQ5) score of greater than 0.75 under treatment with SFC 50/250 mu g one inhalation twice daily (bid). SFC was switched to FBC 4.5/160 mu g two inhalations bid. Study outcomes included ACQ5 score, peak expiratory flow (PEF), FEV1, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) at the end of treatment period. Results: Eighty-three patients completed the study. ACQ5 scores improved and exceeded the clinically meaningful difference after 12 weeks of treatment and well-controlled asthma (ACQ5 score <= 0.75) was attained in 37 (44.6%) patients. Minimum and maximum PEF and FEV1 values improved significantly, but not FeNO values, after switching from SFC to FBC. Conclusions: Switching ICS/LABA combination therapy is a useful option in the management of asthma that is not optimally controlled.