Abstract
BACKGROUND: Regular treatment with inhaled salbutamol (seven to 14 days) increases airway responsiveness to allergen.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of salmeterol 50 µg twice daily for six days on the early asthmatic response to allergen (PC15).DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, crossover trial comparing salmeterol with placebo (twice daily over six days) with one week or more washout. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and allergen PC15were measured 36 h after each treatment was discontinued.SETTING: Tertiary care out-patient bronchoprovocation laboratory.SUBJECTS: Fourteen atopic asthmatics well controlled with (n=5) or without (n=9) inhaled corticosteroids. Subjects did not use inhaled beta-agonists for at least two weeks before and during the trial.RESULTS: FEV1was slightly but significantly lower 36 h after the last dose of salmeterol versus placebo (3.28±0.83 versus 3.40±0.88 L, P=0.032). Airway responsiveness to allergen increased by about half a doubling concentration (log10PC152.71±0.61 versus 2.85±0.61, P=0.047).CONCLUSION: A six-day treatment course of salmeterol 50 μg twice daily resulted in a slight decline in FEV1and a modest increase in airway response to allergen at 36 h.
Highlights
Regular treatment with inhaled salbutamol increases airway responsiveness to allergen
The allergen PC15 was significantly lower 36 h following discontinuation of salmeterol compared with the placebo
The number of patients using inhaled corticosteroid was too small to analyze separately; there was no obvious difference compared with those not on inhaled corticosteroid (Table 2). These results show that 36 h after a six-day course of twice daily salmeterol, airway responsiveness to allergen assessed by the early asthmatic response was significantly greater
Summary
Regular treatment with inhaled salbutamol (seven to 14 days) increases airway responsiveness to allergen. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of salmeterol 50 μg twice daily for six days on the early asthmatic response to allergen (PC15). DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, crossover trial comparing salmeterol with placebo (twice daily over six days) with one week or more washout. Subjects did not use inhaled beta-agonists for at least two weeks before and during the trial. RESULTS: FEV1 was slightly but significantly lower 36 h after the last dose of salmeterol versus placebo (3.28±0.83 versus 3.40±0.88 L, P=0.032). Airway responsiveness to allergen increased by about half a doubling concentration (log PC15 2.71±0.61 versus 2.85±0.61, P=0.047). CONCLUSION: A six-day treatment course of salmeterol 50 μg twice daily resulted in a slight decline in FEV1 and a modest increase in airway response to allergen at 36 h
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
