Clinical and economical trial of benefit of Symbicort Turbuhaler in moderate bronchial asthma

Abstract

This prospective randomized trial involved 150 outpatients receiving Symbicort Turbuhaler and 150 patients who continued treatment administered before they entered the trial (the typical practice group). The administration of Symbicort was more beneficial according to 4 criteria of clinical efficacy (physical activity limitation, rate of daytime and nighttime symptoms, need in short-acting β₂-agonists which were assessed with 5-point scales) and to FEV₁. Therapy with Symbicort was slightly more expensive but its cost-effectiveness ratio was more beneficial compared with that of typical therapy with cromones or inhaled steroids alone or when combined with long-acting β₂ -agonists.