Efficacy, Safety, and Effects on Quality of Life of Salmeterol Versus Albuterol in Patients with Mild to Moderate Persistent Asthma

doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)63068-2

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Volume 80, Issue 6, June 1998, Pages 463-470

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)63068-2 Get rights and content

Background

Salmeterol xinafoate is a long-acting, highly selective, beta₂-adrenergic agonist that produces bronchodilation and clinically significant improvement in pulmonary function for up to 12 hours in patients with asthma.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact on asthma-specific quality of life, efficacy, and safety of salmeterol versus albuterol in adult patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, multi-center study was conducted in 539 adult asthma patients over 12 weeks. Patients were randomized to receive either salmeterol 42 micrograms via metered-dose inhaler twice daily or albuterol 180 micrograms four times daily. Upon entry into the study, 46% of patients were being treated with an inhaled corticosteroid and were allowed to continue treatment throughout the study. Pulmonary function and asthma symptoms were monitored daily, and patients completed the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

Treatment with salmeterol twice daily produced significantly greater improvements from baseline in all quality of life domains ("Activity Limitation," "Asthma Symptoms," "Emotional Function," "Environmental Function," "Environmental Exposure") scores and in the global AQLQ score at 12 weeks P < .038) compared with albuterol treatment four times daily. Pulmonary function and asthma symptoms were also significantly improved with salmeterol compared with albuterol.

Conclusions

Salmeterol 42 micrograms administered twice daily is significantly more effective than albuterol 180 micrograms four times daily for improving asthma-specific quality of life, controlling asthma symptoms, and improving pulmonary function in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. Furthermore, those improvements were maintained over a 12-week period.

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: This study was supported by a research grant provided by Glaxo Wellcome, Inc.

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ORIGINAL ARTICLESEfficacy, Safety, and Effects on Quality of Life of Salmeterol Versus Albuterol in Patients with Mild to Moderate Persistent Asthma

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Br J Dis Chest

Soc Sci Med

Soc Sci Med

J Clin Epidemiol

Lancet

Highlights of the expert panel report 2. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Asthma Education Program. Expert Panel Report

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Has the prevalence of asthma symptoms increased in Australian children?

J Paediatr Child Health

A community-based study of the epidemiology of asthma: incidence rates, 1964–1983

Am Rev Respir Dis

An economic evaluation of asthma in the United States

N Engl J Med