NHLBI researchers find long-acting beta-agonists not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids in treating persist...( ti-inflammatory medications like ICS to...),Health

ti-inflammatory medications like ICS to reduce inflammation in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma and that they add a LAB if low to moderate ICS doses do not adequately reduce asthma symptoms. Because patients have been concerned about the safety of ICS, some physicians have started treating them with LABs alone. The two new studies show that using LABs alone is not effective for total asthma control.

The two studies were designed to investigate the usefulness of treating adults with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma with LABs instead of ICS or in addition to ICS. They shared a 6-week run-in phase during which all patients were treated with moderate doses of ICS. Following the run-in period, 164 patients with asthma that was well controlled with ICS were entered into the Salmeterol or Corticosteroid Study, while 175 patients whose asthma was not well controlled with ICS alone were enrolled in the Salmeterol + or - Inhaled Corticosteroid Study.

In the first study, patients were randomized into three groups to compare the effects of continuing the ICS alone, switching to a LAB, or switching to placebo. The study showed that patients treated with the LAB alone had nearly four times more treatment failures, nearly three times more exacerbations, and significantly greater increases in measures of airway inflammation.

In the Salmeterol + or - Corticosteroids Study, patients were treated with ICS alone or with ICS plus a LAB to see if adding the LAB would permit the ICS dose to be reduced or eliminated. The investigators found that the addition of the LAB permitted a 50 percent reduction in ICS dose without significant loss of asthma control. However, complete elimination of the ICS resulted in a 4.3 times higher risk of treatment failure.

The Salmeterol or Corticosteroids study also showed the importance of reviewing multiple measures of asthma outcomes to determine the most effective therapy. Although LABs alone were
'"/>

Contact: NHLBI Communications Office
sommere@nih.gov
301-496-4236
NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
21-May-2001

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. NHLBI study shows smoking cessation programs improve survival
2. Frequent fast food meals increase weight, diabetes risk, NHLBI study says
3. NHLBI statement on oral contraceptive study
4. NHLBI stops sickle cell anemia transfusion study
5. Statement from Barbara Alving of NHLBI on guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention in women
6. Former NHLBI director Lenfant receives Lifetime Achievement Award
7. NHLBI study finds hostility, impatience increase hypertension risk
8. NHLBI study finds moderate physical activity promotes weight loss as well as intense exercise
9. NHLBI funds new heart-health education projects in high-risk communities
10. NHLBI study shows weight concerns increase girls risk of becoming smokers
11. NHLBI study shows vast majority of middle-aged Americans at risk of developing hypertension