Comparison of add-on efficacies of formoterol and tulobuterol on
budesonide inhalation in elderly patients with asthma
Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives; For asthma strategy, to avoid the
aggravation of bronchial inflammation and contraction, the addition of
long acting beta agonist (LABA) to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) has
been recommended. To know whether there is any clinical difference
between the additional efficacies of formoterol (FOR) and tulobuterol
(TUL) onto budesonide (BUD) may be useful for the elderly patients’
asthma treatment strategy. Method: Eighteen outpatients with mild to
moderate bronchial asthma with FEV1.0% < 80% treated by
intermediate ICS dosages visited Respiratory Division of Nagasaki
University Hospital or Isahaya General Hospital, Japan Community Health
care Organization were subjected. Subjects were randomly assigned (9
cases per group) to either the FBC group (BUD/FOR 160/4.5 mcg: 2
inhalations twice daily) or BUD + TUL group (BUD 200 mcg: 2 inhalations
twice daily + TUL 2mg daily) and were compared in parallel with 2 arms
for 12 weeks prospectively. PEF, FEV1, impulse oscillometry (IOS),
fractional exhaled nitric oxide, Asthma Control Questionnaire and
mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-AQLQ), and occurrence of
adverse reactions were compared. Results; The “Fres” of IOS was
improved (p=0.03) in FBC group. The “emotion” domain of mini-AQLQ was
improved (p=0.03) in BUD+TUL group. Conclusions; By changing the drug
formulation, the patch was superior in terms of satisfaction, but it was
thought that the inhaled combination was superior in improving the
respiratory function itself. It is necessary to pay attention to the
characteristics of the patient when selecting treatment.