Canadian respiratory journal : journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized, controlled trial of high dose, inhaled budesonide versus oral prednisone in patients discharged from the emergency department following an acute asthma exacerbation.
Prednisone (PRED) is recommended at discharge to reduce the relapse rate following emergency treatment for an asthmatic attack. However, PRED has systemic side effects. Inhaled anti-inflammatory medications, such as budesonide (BUD), are well tolerated. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of PRED and BUD on relapse rate. ⋯ In patients whose acute asthma has been stabilized in the emergency department, high dose BUD may be an alternate to PRED as a follow-up treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (50/250 microg) administered via combination Diskus inhaler: as effective as when given via separate Diskus inhalers.
To compare the efficacy and safety of a new combination Diskus inhaler containing both salmeterol 50 mg and fluticasone propionate 250 mg (Seretide) with the two drugs delivered via separate Diskus inhalers. ⋯ This study shows that the combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate in a single inhaler is as efficacious in achieving asthma control and as well tolerated over a 28-week period as the two drugs administered individually.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol compared with beclomethasone in eosinophilic mild exacerbations of asthma: a randomized, placebo controlled trial.
Salmeterol is a potent long acting beta-agonist that is effective in relieving the symptoms and airflow limitation of asthma. ⋯ These results show that salmeterol improves the symptoms and airway function of patients with asthma, but has no effect on eosinophilic airway infiltration. These findings support current asthma guidelines, which recommend the initial use of inhaled steroid to maximize clinical improvement. While salmeterol also produces clinical improvement, it does not suppress sputum eosinophilia. The analysis of induced or spontaneous sputum for inflammatory indexes may be a valuable clinical test to guide the use of inhaled steroid and/or a long acting beta-agonist.