Table 1

Summary of studies included in the meta-analysis

Reference	N	Study duration (weeks)	Doses of FP/BDP/Sal(μg/day)	Device	Comparison dose(μg/day)	Range (mean) FEV₁% predicted
FP, fluticasone propionate; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; BDP, beclometasone dipropionate; Sal, salmeterol; BUD, budesonide; Comb, combination fluticasone/salmeterol; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; PEF, peak expiratory flow; MDI, metered dose inhaler.
Greening¹⁵	426	26	BDP 400	MDI	BDP 1000	⩾50 (PEF 74)
			Sal 100	Diskhaler
Kelsen¹⁶	483	24	BDP 400	MDI	BDP 800	45–80 (65)
			Sal 100	MDI
Murray¹⁷	514	24	BDP 400	MDI	BDP 800	50–80 (66)
			Sal 100	MDI
Kalberg¹²	488	24	FP 200	–	FP 500	40–80
			Sal 100
Condemi¹⁸	437	24	FP 200	MDI	FP 500	40–80 (61)
			Sal 100	MDI
Van Noord¹¹	60	12	FP 200	Diskhaler	FP 400	⩾50 (72)
			Sal 100	Diskhaler
Vermetten¹⁹	233	12	BDP 400	Diskhaler	BDP 800	PEF >60 (84)
			Sal 100	Diskhaler
Bloom²⁰	574	12	FP 200	Diskus	FP 500	65–95 (78)
			Sal 100	(comb)
Busse²¹	558	12	FP 200	Diskus	FP 500	⩾65 (81)
			Sal 100	(comb)
FLTA 4021²²	232	12	FP 200	MDI	FP 500	40–85 (63)
			Sal 100	MDI
FLTA 4022²²	222	12	FP 200	MDI	FP 500	40–85 (63)
			Sal 100	MDI
Johansson²³	349	12	FP 200	Diskus	BUD 800	65–85 (77)
			Sal 100	(comb)