Results Of Patient Rated Asthma Control Test In Comparison To Diary Card Data

The majority of asthma patients are not well controlled, despite the availability of asthma medication that could effectively treat the disease. In this study uncontrolled patients who are steroid-naive or on low dose inhaled corticosteroids will be treated with Seretide (salmeterol/fluticasone combination, SFC) 50/250 µg twice daily. The asthma control test (ACT) will be used to detect differences in the level of asthma control during treatment. The study aims to show a correlation between improvements of ACT und the level of asthma control which will be reached by the patients. The aim of the study is to show that most of symptomatic asthma patients can reach 'well controlled asthma' with SFC. We get information about ACT in daily practice and physicians are trained to use the asthma control test as a screening tool and for follow up of asthma management. Correlations are expected between the improvements in ACT, Quality of Life and asthma control according to the Gaining Optimal Asthma controL (GOAL) criteria.

Participants received the combination product, fluticasone 250 microgram (mcg) plus salmeterol 50 mcg (SFC 50/250 mcg) for 12 weeks. Study treatment was received using DISKUS™ powder inhalers, one dose in morning and evening. Study medication was dispensed at visits 3, 4, and 5 for 30 days each. The participants were provided with salbutamol rescue medication if they developed acute asthmatic symptoms. This medication was provided in metered dose inhalers containing at least 200 puffs of 100 mcg salbutamol. Use of rescue medications was recorded in the participant's asthma diaries. Stable dosages of other concomitant medications were allowed if they had no impact on the outcome criteria.

This medication was provided in metered dose inhalers containing at least 200 puffs of 100 mcg salbutamol.

Percentage of Well Controlled Participants as Per Gaining Optimal Asthma Control (GOAL) Criteria After 12 Week Compared to Percentage of Participants With Asthma Control Test (ACT) Score of 20-25 for Week 9 to Week 12

A week with well controlled asthma, when two or more of the criteria were fulfilled (diary entries): At most 2 days per week with 24-hour symptom score >1 (Range: 0= None to 5= severe), rescue salbutamol use on <= 2 days and at most 4 occasions per week, and a morning peak flow >= 80% of the predicted value on each day per week. All of the criteria which includes no night-time awakenings due to asthma (diary entry), no emergency visits (diary entry), no exacerbations and no treatment-related adverse events leading to treatment change are fulfilled. The total ACT score is based on a range of 5 to 25. Higher score indicates better asthma control. A score of 19 or less may be a sign that asthma symptoms are not under control.

The total ACT score is based on a range of 5 to 25. Higher score indicates better asthma control. A score of 19 or less may be a sign that asthma symptoms are not under control. In order to derive the total ACT score, all 5 questions needed to be answered. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value. The assessments recorded at Visit 3 were considered as Baseline assessments.

The total ACT score is based on a range of 5 to 25. Higher score indicates better asthma control. A score of 19 or less may be a sign that asthma symptoms not under control. In order to derive the total ACT score, all 5 questions had to be answered. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value. The assessments recorded at Visit 3 were considered as Baseline assessments.

Well controlled or totally controlled asthma assessments were done according to the GOAL criteria. A week with well controlled asthma, when two or more of the criteria were fulfilled (diary entries): At most 2 days per week with 24-hour symptom score >1(Range: 0= None to 5= severe), rescue salbutamol use on <= 2 days and at most 4 occasions per week, and morning peak flow >= 80% of the predicted value on each day per week. All of the criteria which included no night-time awakenings due to asthma (diary entry),no emergency visits (diary entry), no exacerbations and no treatment-related adverse events leading to treatment change were fulfilled. The total ACT score was based on a range of 5 to 25. Higher score indicates better asthma control. A score of 19 or less may be a sign that asthma symptoms are not under control. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value. The assessments recorded at Visit 3 were considered as Baseline assessments.

For the level of asthma control, baseline values were derived taking the last 8 weeks during the pre-treatment period prior to Visit 3 into consideration. Regarding derived variables based on the asthma diary, data from the last week prior to Visit 3 was taken. Visit 3, regarded as baseline. AQLQ has 32 questions regarding activities, emotions, symptoms, and environmental triggers. Each item values range from 1 (maximum impairment) to 7 (no impairment). A positive change from baseline score indicates improvement.

Correlation between change in the AQLQ and ACT score was tabulated using the Pearson coefficient of correlation (linear correlation). The AQLQ contained 32 items in 4 domains: activity limitation, symptoms, emotional function and environmental stimuli. Scores for the domains as well as the overall score were scaled within a range of 1 (worst) to 7 (best).

FEV1, an amount of air exhaled by a person during a forced breath in one second. FEV1 assessed at Visit 1 and at Visits 3, 4, 5, 6. Baseline was the measurement at Visit 3. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value.

PEF, a person's maximum speed of expiration, as measured with a peak flow meter, a small, hand-held device used to monitor a person's ability to breathe out air. The mean morning PEF evaluated by means of the data documented in the asthma diaries. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value. The assessments recorded at Visit 3 were considered as Baseline assessments.

The various symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness were assessed by the participants every morning using a symptom score scale which ranged from 0 (no symptoms during the past 24 hours) to 5 (symptoms so severe that participant could not go to work or carry out other normal daily activities). Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value. The assessments recorded at Visit 3 were considered as Baseline assessments.

Salbutamol was given as a rescue medicine, used on <= 2 days and at most 4 occasions per week. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting the baseline value from week 12 value. The assessments recorded at Visit 3 were considered as Baseline assessments.

Number of nights with no night time awakening were recorded at Week 12. Baseline was the last corresponding time period immediately prior to Visit 3.

Frequencies of emergency visits per participant were recorded during treatment period. Only the participants at risk were considered when calculating the incidence rates.

AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a participant or clinical investigation participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. Number of participants with AE who lead to change in asthma treatment were reported.

Assessment of Tolerability by Number of Participants With at Least One Treatment Emergent Serious and, Non-serious AE

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant or clinical AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a participant or clinical investigation participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. Number of participants with at least one treatment emergent serious and, non-serious AE were reported.

Assessment of Tolerability by Change From Baseline of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)

SBP and DBP were recorded over time (Visit 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6). Baseline was the measurement at Visit 3. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value.

Pulse rate was recorded over time (Visit 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6). Baseline was the measurement at Visit 3. Change from baseline value was calculated by subtracting baseline value from week 12 value.

Frequencies of participants with at least one (near-) incident associated with peak flow measurements were recorded. analysis was done on safety population.

Inclusion criteria: Diagnosis of asthma Reversibility >12% after inhalation of 200 µg Salbutamol willingness and ability to complete daily record card on daily basis and to measure morning PEF on daily basis 80% compliance in diary card completion asthma control status: Uncontrolled based on the GOAL criteria Exclusion criteria: Change of asthma medication during the last 4 weeks Asthma exacerbation characterized by use of oral corticoids during the last 3 months Pretreatment with inhaled corticosteroids more than 500 mcg Beclometasondipropionat or equivalent per day or other controller therapy during the last 3 months upper or lower respiratory tract infection during the RUN-IN period moderate or severe asthma exacerbation during the RUN-IN period Non compliance with use of Discus, PEF-meter and incomplete diary card data