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- Zetterström, Olle, 1940-, et al.
(author)
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Improved asthma control with budesonide/formeterol in a single inhaler, compared with budesonide alone
- 2001
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In: European Respiratory Journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 18:2, s. 262-268
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler was compared with budesonide alone, and with concurrent administration of budesonide and formoterol from separate inhalers, in patients with asthma, not controlled with inhaled glucocorticosteroids alone. In this 12-week, double-blind, randomized, double-dummy study, 362 adult asthmatics (forced expiratory volume in one second 73.8% of predicted, inhaled glucocorticosteroid dose 960 ╡g╖day-1) received single inhaler budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort « Turbuhaler «) 160/4.5 ╡g, two inhalations b.i.d., or corresponding treatment with budesonide, or budesonide plus formoterol via separate inhalers. There was a greater increase in morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) with single-inhaler (35.7 L╖min-1) and separate-inhaler (32.0 L╖min-1) budesonide and formoterol, compared with budesonide alone (0.2 L╖min-1, p<0.001, both comparisons), the effect was apparent after 1 day (p<0.001 versus budesonide, both comparisons). Similarly, evening PEF, use of rescue medication, total asthma symptom scores and percentage of symptom-free days improved more with both single inhaler and separate inhaler therapy than with budesonide alone, as did asthma control days (~15% more, p<0.001 versus budesonide, both comparisons, with a marked increase in the first week). All treatments were well tolerated and the adverse event profile was similar in all three treatment groups. It is concluded that single inhaler therapy with budesonide and formoterol is a clinically effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with asthma that is not fully controlled by inhaled glucocorticosteroids alone.
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| 2. |
- Zetterström, Olle, et al.
(author)
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The whole story : Treatment outcomes with Symbicort®
- 2002
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 96:SUPPL. 1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that has a considerable socioeconomic impact. Asthma management guidelines have been introduced to help provide better long-term control of asthma. Although recommended guidelines may increase the direct medication costs, the overall direct costs of asthma may be reduced due to fewer exacerbations. In addition, indirect costs due to lost productivity and mortality are reduced and patients have an improved quality of life. Inhaled corticosteroids are first-line therapy in the treatment of persistent asthma. Against this background, we have assessed the cost-effectiveness of Symbicort® (budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler), a treatment that provides better control of asthma compared with budesonide alone. While the prescribing costs of Symbicort® were found to be higher than for budesonide alone, these were partially offset by reduced costs due to fewer asthma exacerbations and a reduced need for other medications. Combined long-term therapy with budesonide and formoterol also improves patient quality of life compared with budesonide alone. Two other factors associated with asthma treatment success and cost-effectiveness are patient/physician education and good patient adherence to prescribed therapy. The introduction of a single inhaler that is easy to use in simple treatment regimens may improve patient adherence to prescribed medication, thus resulting in improved asthma control and fewer exacerbations. Treatment with Symbicort® is more cost-effective than treatment with budesonide alone. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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| 3. |
- Zetterström, Olle, 1940-, et al.
(author)
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The whole story : treatment outcomes with Symbicort?
- 2002
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 96:Supplement A, s. 29-35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that has a considerable socioeconomic impact. Asthma management guidelines have been introduced to help provide better long-term control of asthma. Although recommended guidelines may increase the direct medication costs, the overall direct costs of asthma may be reduced due to fewer exacerbations. In addition, indirect costs due to lost productivity and mortality are reduced and patients have an improved quality of life. Inhaled corticosteroids are first-line therapy in the treatment of persistent asthma. Against this background, we have assessed the cost-effectiveness of Symbicort(R) (budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler), a treatment that provides better control of asthma compared with budesonide alone. While the prescribing costs of Symbicort(R) were found to be higher than for budesonide alone, these were partially offset by reduced costs due to fewer asthma exacerbations and a reduced need for other medications. Combined long-term therapy with budesonide and formoterol also improves patient quality of life compared with budesonide alone. Two other factors associated with asthma treatment success and cost-effectiveness are patient/physician education and good patient adherence to prescribed therapy. The introduction of a single inhaler that is easy to use in simple treatment regimens may improve patient adherence to prescribed medication, thus resulting in improved asthma control and fewer exacerbations. Treatment with Symbicort(R) is more cost-effective than treatment with budesonide alone.
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