Impact of the long active beta-2 agonists inhaled therapy on the quality of life in asthmatic patients

Abstract

To assess the impact of the addition of inhaled therapy with long acting beta2-agonists (formoterol) on the health related quality of life (HRQL) in asthmatic patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids and poorly controlled. Observational prospective naturalistic study with a cohort of 343 ambulatory patients during 6 months. We collected socio-demographic, clinical and lung function variables. The HRQL was assessed by means of a generic scale (SF-36) and a specific one (Marks's AQLQ). They were evaluated 268 patients (78%). mean age 48.6 years (SD 16.28), 64.15% women. Women and the subjects with worse socioeconomic situation had poor basal HRQL scores. During the follow-up an average improvement in FEV1 of 0.26 l (SD 0.44; p <0.001) was observed. The average change in the AQLQ was -1.92 (-2.09-1.75) being the larger improvement in the breathlessness domain. The average change in SF-36 was 5.13 (4.75-5.51) for physical standardized component and 5.23 (4.83-5.63) for mental component. The effect size was "large" with the measurement of the AQLQ and "moderate" with SF-36. The AQLQ and SF-12 scores are strongly correlated. basally and after the treatment (r > 0.5). To add long acting beta2-agonists to the asthmatic patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids and poorly controlled, under usual clinical practice conditions, is associated with an improvement of the HRQL perception measured by means of generic and specific instruments.