科研之友
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摘要
Purpose: Long-acting beta(2) agonists (LABA) may mask ongoing bronchial inflammation, leaving asthmatic patients at greater risk of severe complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of combination therapy using low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus LABA on airway inflammation in asthma to the effect of medium-dose ICS alone. Methods: Twenty-four patients with asthma not controlled by low-dose (400 mu g per day) budesonide alone were enrolled in this prospective crossover study. Patients were randomized into 2 treatment phases: one receiving medium-dose (800 mu g per day) budesonide (ICS phase), and the other receiving a combination therapy of low-dose budesonide/formoterol (360 mu g/9 mu g per day) delivered by a single inhaler (LABA phase). Each treatment phase lasted for 6 week, after which patients were crossed over. Asthma symptoms, lung function, and airway inflammation were compared between the 2 phases. Results: Twenty-three patients completed the study; adequate sputum samples were collected from 17 patients. Asthma symptoms and lung function remained similar between the 2 phases. However, the mean sputum eosinophil percentage was higher in the LABA phase than in the ICS phase (5.07 +/- 3.82% vs 1.02 +/- 1.70%; P<0.01). Sputum eosinophilia (>= 3%) was more frequently observed in the LABA phase than in the ICS phase (6 vs 2). Conclusion: Addition of LABA may mask airway eosinophilic inflammation in asthmatic patients whose symptoms are not controlled with low-dose ICS.
- 出版日期2014-3
