A six-month, placebo-controlled comparison of the safety and efficacy of salmeterol or beclomethasone for persistent asthma

Background: There is a paucity of data comparing the long-term safety and e fficacy of long-acting inhaled beta(2)-agonists versus low-dose inhaled cor ticosteroids in the treatment of asthma, Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of salmeterol xinafoate, becl omethasone dipropionate (BDP), and placebo over a 6-month treatment period in patients with persistent asthma. Methods: Salmeterol (42 mu g twice daily), BDP (84 mu g four times daily), or placebo was administered via metered-dose inhaler to 386 adolescent and adult inhaled corticosteroid-naive patients in a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study, Eligible patients demonstrated a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV,) from 65% to 90% of predicted values. Pulmonary function, symptom control, frequency of asthma exacerbations, bro nchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine challenge, and adverse eve nts were assessed. Results: There were few statistically significant differences between the t wo active treatments over 6 months of therapy. Asthma symptoms and lung fun ction were significantly improved with both salmeterol and BDP compared wit h placebo (changes from baseline in FEV, of 0.28 L (SE = 0.04) and 0.23 L ( SE = 0.04), respectively, compared with 0.08 L (SE = 0.04); P less than or equal to .014). There were no significant differences among the treatment g roups with respect to the distribution of asthma exacerbations over time. B oth salmeterol and BDP significantly reduced BHR compared with placebo (P l ess than or equal to .033; changes from baseline of 1.29 (SE = 0.26) and 1. 42 (SE = 0.24) doubling doses at 6 months, respectively, compared with 0.24 (SE = 0.29) doubling dose for placebo). No rebound effect in BHR was seen upon cessation of any of the three treatment regimens. There were no clinic ally important differences in the safety profiles among the three treatment s. Conclusions: Both salmeterol and BDP are effective and well-tolerated when administered for 6 months to inhaled corticosteroid-naive patients with per sistent asthma.