Table 2

Comparison of lung function results for the three treatments over a four week period

Treatment n Adjusted mean Estimated treatment difference versus salbutamol 200 μg 95% CI p value
Mean morning PEF (l/min)
Salmeterol 50 μg40262.09.62.1 to  17.10.013
Salmeterol 100 μg38266.213.86.0 to  21.50.001
Salbutamol 200 μg40252.4
Predicted morning PEF (%)
Salmeterol 50 μg4098.73.60.4 to  6.70.028
Salmeterol 100 μg3899.45.42.1 to  8.60.002
Salbutamol 200 μg4095.5
Mean evening PEF (l/min)
Salmeterol 50 μg40268.04.6–4.0 to  13.30.288
Salmeterol 100 μg38268.07.5–1.4 to  16.40.097
Salbutamol 200 μg40261.6
Predicted evening PEF (%)
Salmeterol 50 μg40100.51.3–2.2 to  4.70.471
Salmeterol 100 μg38100.82.4–1.1 to  6.00.178
Salbutamol 200 μg4098.7
Clinic visit FEV1 (l)
Salmeterol 50 μg411.750.03–0.04  to  0.10.439
Salmeterol 100 μg401.70–0.02–0.09 to  0.050.585
Salbutamol 200 μg411.72
Clinic visit PC 20
Salmeterol 50 μg140.472-150 1.542-151 0.65 to  3.700.306
Salmeterol 100 μg150.372-150 1.232-151 0.55 to  2.780.598
Salbutamol 200 μg160.302-150

  • PEF = peak expiratory flow; FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in one second; PC20 = concentration of histamine provoking a fall in FEV1 of 20%.

  • ↵2-150 Adjusted geometric mean.

  • ↵2-151 Ratio of treatment:salbutamol.