Achieving control of steroid-dependent asthma with fluticasone propionate or salmeterol / fluticasone propionate: result of the Russian multicentre study GROZA

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of 24-month treatment with Seretide (salmeterol / fluticasone propionate, 100 / 1 000 mcg daily) or Flixotide (fluticasone propionate, 1 000 mcg daily) in 105 steroid-dependent asthma patients aged 18 to 60 yrs who had received oral steroids for at least 6 months but not longer than 10 years.
Methods. The study was comparative, randomized, multicentre, open in parallel groups (15 visits with 2-week intervals). Reduction of oral steroid doses started at the 3-rd visit.
Results. In spite of the continual treatment with oral steroids patients did not reach asthma control. After 6-month therapy with fluticasone propionate or salmeterol / fluticasone propionate the maintaining dose of prednisolone was 6 times lower in comparison with baseline. Moreover, oral steroids were abolished in each second patient receiving Seretide and each third patient receiving Flixotide. The asthma control and quality of life significantly increased.
Conclusion. The therapy with fluticasone propionate or salmeterol / fluticasone propionate allows to reduce doses of oral steroids and to cease oral steroids in most causes. Moreover, the patients can maintain good asthma control.