[Clinical effects of budesonide/formoterol combination drug in elder patients with asthma compared with budesonide plus tulobuterol patch combination treatment].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Tulobuterol patch (Tulo) is often used for treatment of elder patient with asthma in Japan. However, there is no evidence either ICS plus Tulo or ICS/LABA combination is better for elder patient.

METHODS

Elder patients with asthma (aged≥ 70, n=17) who had treated with budesonide (BUD) 400 μg/day plus Tulo 2 mg/day, were randomly assigned either to change control medication to budesonide/formoterol combination (BUD/FM) 320/9 μg/day or to keep BUD plus Tulo treatment for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

At week 4 and week 12, the BUD/FM group showed significant increase in lung function (FEV1, %FEV1) and mini AQLQ score compared with the BUD plus Tulo group. The BUD/FM group also showed decrease in Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha level in exhaled breath condensate at week 12. No adverse event was observed in both groups.

CONCLUSION

In elder patients with asthma, treatment with BUD/FM does not have any clinical disadvantage and may provide better efficacy in lung function, QOL, and possibly anti-inflammation compared with BUD plus Tulo treatment.