Title: Fluticasone/Formoterol dry powder versus Budesonide/Formoterol in adults and adolescents with uncontrolled or partly controlled asthma
Abstract: This 12-week study compared the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of fluticasone propionate plus formoterol (FL/F) 250/12 μgb.i.d.administered via a dry powder inhaler (DPI) to a combination of budesonide plus formoterol (BD/F) 400/12 μgb.i.d.After a 2-week run-in period (in which all patients were treated exclusively with budesonide plus formoterol), patients aged 12-65 years of age (N = 98) with uncontrolled asthma were randomized into an actively controlled, open-labelled, parallel-group study.The primary objective was to demonstrate non-inferiority, measured by morning peak expiratory flow (mPEF).The non-inferiority was demonstrated.A statistically significant improvement from baseline was observed in both groups in terms of lung function, asthma control, and the use of rescue medication.FL/F demonstrated a statistical superiority to BD/F in terms of lung function (FEV 1 ) (p = 0.01) and for asthma control (p = 0.02).Non-significant between-group differences were observed with regards to exacerbation rates and adverse events.In uncontrolled or partly controlled asthma patients, the use of a combination of fluticasone propionate plus formoterol via DPI for 12-weeks was non-inferior and showed improvements in FEV1 and asthma control when compared to a combination of budesonide plus formoterol.