Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-1-8
pubmed:abstractText
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of asthma treatment. Since 1994, when the first trial showed an equivalent effect of doubling the ICS dose or adding salmeterol, it has repeatedly been shown that the combinations of beclomethasone dipropionate and salmeterol, budesonide and formoterol, or fluticasone propionate and salmeterol have at least the same efficacy as doubling the dose of the ICS in adults, though a conclusive trial in asthmatic children is still lacking. The addition of a long-acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA) to ICS appears more efficacious than adding a short-acting beta(2)-agonist or an antileukotriene, even though available data are sparse. Concurrent (two inhalers) and combination (same inhaler) modes of administration are equivalent from the clinical point of view, as is also true regarding administration via metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler. Using a single inhaler might eventually have a positive effect on treatment compliance, but there are no confirmatory data yet. Despite some clues regarding a presumed agonist effect of ICS and LABAs, there are still more doubts than certainties. Even though there are still unanswered questions, the data available strongly suggest that the fixed combination of ICS and LABAs using the same inhaler is an efficacious, safe and practical approach for those asthmatic patients who are not well controlled with low doses of ICS alone.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1465-6566
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
4
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
23-39
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta2-agonists as a combined therapy in asthma.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pediatrics, University of Murcia and Pediatric Research Unit, Dirección Salud Area II, Cartagena, Piazza San Agustín, 330201 Cartagena, Spain. lgmarcos@um.es
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Review