It is worth noting that the use of both beta2-agonist (formoterol) and a low-dose corticosteroid (budesonide) in a single inhaler and this review evaluated the new inhaler’s effectiveness.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Encouraging people to use their preventive medication is important, as it is often the case that people with asthma default on their inhaled corticosteroids,” said lead reviewer Christopher Cates, M.D., at the Community Health Sciences of St. George’s at the University of London. “This is partly because inhaled steroids do not make an immediate difference to asthma symptoms.”

In most studies, participants had treatment with a single inhaler – one inhalation of 80/4.5 milligrams of budesonide/formoterol twice daily, and as needed. Patients in the control groups used their prescribed inhaled corticosteroid with a separate reliever inhaler. Cates and his colleague evaluated three studies that included more than 4,200 adults and adolescents with chronic asthma. One study also included 224 children.

The Cochrane reviewers found no significant reduction in the number of asthma exacerbations that required hospitalization among the patients who used single inhaler therapy.

Carlos Camargo, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said that this single-inhaler therapy is a new approach to chronic asthma treatment is expected to provide great relief but requires further research before it can be recommended.

The involved researchers were studying the effectiveness of both a low-dose corticosteroid (budesonide) and beta2-agonist (formoterol) in a single inhaler.

The review appeared in an issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization evaluating research in all health care aspects.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Encouraging people to use their preventive medication is important, as it is often the case that people with asthma default on their inhaled corticosteroids,” said lead reviewer Christopher Cates, M.D., at the Community Health Sciences of St. George’s at the University of London. “This is partly because inhaled steroids do not make an immediate difference to asthma symptoms.”

In most studies, participants had treatment with a single inhaler – one inhalation of 80/4.5 milligrams of budesonide/formoterol twice daily, and as needed. Patients in the control groups used their prescribed inhaled corticosteroid with a separate reliever inhaler. Cates and his colleague evaluated three studies that included more than 4,200 adults and adolescents with chronic asthma. One study also included 224 children.

The Cochrane reviewers found no significant reduction in the number of asthma exacerbations that required hospitalization among the patients who used single inhaler therapy.

It was remarked by Cates that one benefit of combined inhalers is that inhaled corticosteroids can be administered on an automatic basis with the beta-agonist when it comes to relieving symptoms.

It was remarked by Michael B. Foggs, M.D chief of asthma, allergy and immunology, Advocate Health Care, Chicago, that asthma, which is a chronic ailment, can be easily managed by following these guidelines so that severe attacks can be prevented before occurrence.

From News-Medical.Net:

According to Dr. Foggs, the guidelines put a new emphasis on the physician-patient partnership and ongoing monitoring and management. Specific recommendations include: :

* All patients with asthma should be monitored by a doctor every one to six months, regardless of how severe their condition is and whether they are experiencing symptoms.

* Patient should have a written asthma action plan with instructions for daily treatment and what to do if symptoms become worse. The action plan should be developed by a doctor or nurse, with input from the patient, and shared with all those who interact with the patient such as family members, teachers and coaches.

* Education that takes into account cultural background and literacy should be part of asthma care, and patients should play an active role in managing their condition.

* Asthma treatment based on severity is classified in six steps, rather than four in previous guidelines. A stepwise approach to treatment is still recommended, with medication stepped up or increased when asthma symptoms increase and stepped down, if possible, when asthma is under control.

Carlos Camargo, M.D., DrPH, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, remarked that the guidelines truly emphasize the difference between acute and chronic asthma management.