Abstract | BACKGROUND: The combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting inhaled beta(2)-adrenergic-agonists has become the standard therapy for many patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma. Whether the differences between budesonide/ formoterol and fluticasone/salmeterol translate into differences in treatment outcomes in a real life setting is unknown. OBJECTIVES: METHODS: A 12-month population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative health care databases was conducted. Asthma patients 16-65 years of age using budesonide/ formoterol were matched according to age and markers of asthma severity to patients using fluticasone/salmeterol. The rate of emergency department (ED) visits for asthma, hospitalizations for asthma, claims for oral corticosteroids, and visits to a respiratory specialist were compared between the two groups using Poisson regression models. The mean number of doses of short-acting beta(2)-adrenergic-agonists ( SABA) per week was compared between the two groups using a linear regression model. RESULTS: Users of budesonide/ formoterol were found to be less likely to have an ED visit for asthma (adjusted RR=0.72; 95% CI: 0.54-0.96), a hospitalization for asthma (adjusted RR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.25-0.99), a claim for oral corticosteroids (adjusted RR=0.83; 95% CI: 0.72-0.95), and use SABA (adjusted mean difference=-1.1 dose per week; 95% CI: -1.7; -0.5) than patients treated with fluticasone/salmeterol. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Lucie Blais, Marie-France Beauchesne, Amélie Forget |
Journal | Respiratory medicine
(Respir Med)
Vol. 103
Issue 2
Pg. 237-43
(Feb 2009)
ISSN: 1532-3064 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 18930647
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Androstadienes
- Bronchodilator Agents
- Ethanolamines
- Budesonide
- Salmeterol Xinafoate
- Fluticasone
- Albuterol
- Formoterol Fumarate
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Topics |
- Administration, Inhalation
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Albuterol
(administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
- Ambulatory Care
(statistics & numerical data)
- Androstadienes
(administration & dosage)
- Asthma
(drug therapy)
- Bronchodilator Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Budesonide
(administration & dosage)
- Case-Control Studies
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Ethanolamines
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Fluticasone
- Formoterol Fumarate
- Hospitalization
(statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nebulizers and Vaporizers
- Patient Compliance
(statistics & numerical data)
- Retrospective Studies
- Salmeterol Xinafoate
- Young Adult
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