A Comparative Study of Fluticasone Propionate with Budesonide and Beclomethasone Dipropionate in Moderate Persistent Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of fluticasone propionate with that of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate in moderate persistent cases of bronchial asthma. Methods: This was an open label, randomized parallel group study done in Government General and Chest Hospital, Hyderabad for a period of 12 weeks. Each group had 20 patients. Group A was given fluticasone propionate inhalational therapy 250 mcg twice daily. Group B was given budesonide inhalational therapy 400 mcg twice daily. Group C was given beclomethasone dipropionate inhalational therapy 400 mcg twice daily. Results: Symptomatic improvement was observed in all three groups. At end point, mean FEV1 in fluticasone propionate treatment group improved by 23.84% compared with 15.24% in budesonide and 12.93% in beclomethasone treatment groups. At end point, mean FVC value in fluticasone propionate treatment group improved by 6.44% compared with 1.5 % in budesonide and 1.06% in beclomethasone groups. Mean FEV1 / FVC also improved by 16.56% in fluticasone propionate group compared with 13.68 % in budesonide and 11.93 % in beclomethasone groups. No adverse effects were reported in any of the treatment groups. Conclusion: This study showed that fluticasone propionate is superior to budesonide and beclomethasone in improving lung function, decreasing symptoms and need for rescue medication in moderate persistent asthma