BACKGROUND Several recent trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have assessed the effectiveness of the fluticasone-salmeterol combination inhaler in preventing COPD exacerbations, while finding an increased risk of pneumonia. The number needed to treat (NNT) is a simple measure to perform the comparative benefit-risk impact, but its calculation involving repeated outcome events...

Received 9 September 2012 Accepted 8 October 2012 ABSTRACT Background Several recent trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have assessed the effectiveness of the fluticasone–salmeterol combination inhaler in preventing COPD exacerbations, while finding an increased risk of pneumonia. The number needed to treat (NNT) is a simple measure to perform the comparative benefit–risk im...

BACKGROUND The objective of this multicentre, randomised, double blind, parallel group study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the addition of salmeterol with that of doubling the dose of fluticasone propionate in asthmatic patients not controlled by a low or intermediate dose of inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS After a four week run in period of treatment with fluticasone propionate ...

BACKGROUND Patients with COPD have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite the clinical benefits of long-acting beta-agonist agents in the treatment of COPD, patients may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular toxicity, including tachyarrhythmia due to beta-adrenergic stimulation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cardiovascular safety of salmeterol in COPD patients by conducting a po...

BACKGROUND This study investigated the addition of salmeterol to existing treatment for exacerbations in patients with poorly reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS 634 patients aged >40 years with a history of COPD exacerbations (including at least two in the previous year) and poor reversibility of airflow obstruction (< or =10% predicted forced expiratory volume i...

During asthma exacerbations, increased airway inflammation may impair the effects of beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR) agonists. It is unclear whether this impairment is prevented by inhaled glucocorticoids (GCs). We have investigated the relaxation of carbachol-contracted mouse tracheal segments to the beta(2)AR agonists formoterol, terbutaline, and salmeterol. The segments were pre-exposed for...

Regular use of short-acting beta-agonists may decrease control of asthma and increase airway responsiveness to bronchoconstrictor stimuli. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of regular treatment with the long-acting beta-agonist, salmeterol, on the methacholine dose-response curve (DRC) in mild-to-moderate asthmatics. Changes in methacholine airway responsiveness were measured i...

Doping taboos I read with interest your editorial entitled "Doping Taboos". I have a particular concern at present involving the use of drugs and asthmatic athletes. Up to 16% of children may have asthma and in adults this prevalence may approach 12 %. Conventional therapy for asthmatics involves the early introduction of anti-inflammatory agents such as inhaled corticosteroids with the use of ...

BACKGROUND Epidemiological evidence has suggested a link between beta(2)-agonists and increased asthma mortality. There has been much debate about possible causal links for this association, and whether regular (daily) long-acting beta(2)-agonists are safe. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review is to assess the risk of fatal and non-fatal serious adverse events in trials that randomised patients ...

BACKGROUND Formoterol and salmeterol are two long-acting β2-agonists given by inhalation, with bronchodilating effects lasting for at least 12 h after a single administration. Formoterol has a faster onset of action compared with salmeterol. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the data published from previous review in order to calculate pooled estimate...