US EPA

3007871 

Journal Article 

Control of asthma in adults treated with beclomethasone and formoterol in extrafine particle aerosol formulation in a real-life setting in Poland - CASPER non-interventional, observational trial 

Kuna, P; Kupryś-Lipińsk, I; Dębowski, T 

2015 

1 

Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej
ISSN: 0032-3772
EISSN: 1897-9483 

English 

26400413 

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is one of the most common health problems, and its poor control can seriously affect patients' lives.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the level of asthma control in a real-life setting in Poland, in outpatients treated with a beclomethasone/formoterol combination (BDP/F-pMDI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study lasted for 6 months (three visits). Patients were aged ≥18 years, were diagnosed with asthma at least 12 months prior to inclusion in the study, and had been using BDP/F-pMDI hydrofluoroalkanes (HFA) (Fostex®, Chiesi Farmaceutici) for a minimum of 2 weeks at the time of enrolment. The control of asthma was determined in accordance with Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria. Patients' data collected during study visits were recorded in unified study questionnaires comprising close-ended questions.  Results: During Visit 1, 8.6% of patients had controlled asthma, 27.6% partly controlled asthma, and 63.9% uncontrolled asthma. Poorer control of asthma was associated with male gender, smoking, a longer history of asthma, higher body mass index, lower physical activity, shorter treatment with BDP/F-pMDI HFA, and inaccurate inhaler technique. After 6 months of therapy, asthma control improved in 74.2% of observed patients, 60.1% of patients met the criteria of controlled asthma and 31.4% of partly controlled asthma, and asthma remained uncontrolled in 8.3% of patients.  Conclusions: BDP/F-pMDI HFA was effective in the long-term control of asthma and patients' training in the correct inhaler technique appeared to be one of the important factors improving treatment outcomes.