Comparison of patient-reported outcomes during treatment with adjustable- and fixed-dose budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler versus fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol dry powder inhaler in patients with asthma.

OBJECTIVE

Assessment of patient-reported outcomes is important in evaluating the impact of asthma treatment. This study was conducted to compare effects of adjustable- and fixed-dose budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler with fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol dry powder inhaler regimens on patient-reported outcomes in patients aged > or =18 years with moderate to severe asthma.

METHODS

In this phase III, randomized, open-label study, 1225 patients were randomized 2:1 to fixed-dose budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 microg x 2 inhalations (320/9 mug) twice daily or fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250/50 microg twice daily for 1 month. In the subsequent 6 months, patients receiving fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol continued therapy, whereas those receiving fixed-dose budesonide/formoterol were randomized 1:1 to fixed-dose or adjustable-dose budesonide/formoterol (adjustable from 320/9 microg twice daily to 320/9 microg once daily or 640/18 microg twice daily).

RESULTS

Mean improvements from baseline to end of treatment in the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (standardized) overall and individual domain scores and the Asthma Control Questionnaire score were clinically important (> or =0.5 points) for all treatments. Patients in both budesonide/formoterol groups reported greater treatment satisfaction on the Asthma Treatment Satisfaction Measure questionnaire than patients in the fluticasone propionate/salmeterol dry powder inhaler group for the attributes of timely relief of symptoms (p < or = .037) and feel medication working (p < or = .020). Onset of Effect Questionnaire scores showed a greater percentage of patients perceiving onset of effect with budesonide/formoterol regimens versus fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (p < or = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment regimens did not differ regarding improvements in asthma-specific quality of life and asthma control. Questions related to perceived rate of onset and feeling medication working in the Asthma Treatment Satisfaction Measure and Onset of Effect Questionnaire generally elicited somewhat more favorable responses with budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler regimens versus fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol dry powder inhaler.