Once-daily administration of fluticasone propionate does not worsen controlled airway hyperresponsiveness in patients with asthma.

Author(s): Shigyo M, Inoue H, Honda Y, Takata S, Iwanaga T, Koto H, Takahashi N, Ichiki H, Aizawa H

Affiliation(s): Clinical Research Institute, National Fukuoka-Higashi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.

Publication date & source: 2005-09, Respiration., 72(5):480-5.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Inhaled steroids are currently the most important drugs for asthma patients, but compliance tends to be low. Compliance could be improved by reducing the number of daily administrations. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we compared once- and twice-daily administration of fluticasone propionate (FP) to determine the differences in efficacy. METHODS: Subjects were 40 patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma with stable symptoms and pulmonary functions who were on twice-daily FP administration of 100 microg. There were 14 men and 26 women ranging from 29 to 72 years of age. After a 4-week observation period, subjects were randomized into two administration groups by the envelope method and followed for 8 weeks: group A, once-daily administration (200 microg of FP at night), and group B, twice-daily administration (100 microg of FP in the morning and at night). Clinical symptoms, pulmonary functions and airway responsiveness were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: No significant deterioration in clinical symptoms, pulmonary functions and airway responsiveness were observed in group A compared with group B. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that once-daily FP administration is as effective as twice-daily administration, and that it may improve the compliance for inhaled steroids. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.