The risk of a severe exacerbation was 21% lower in the FS goup (HR=0.79, 95%CI= 0.70 to 0.89)
A related commentary discusses this research and highlights previous trials that showed a higher risk of asthma related deaths receiving salmeterol vs placebo. The commentary highlights potential problems with the trial design for this new research including the fact that patients were excluded from the trial if they had a history of life-threatening or unstable asthma. Though the trial shows that among patients with asthma who have not had life-threatening episodes in the past and are highly adherent to their drug regimen, it is likely that the use of S together with F in a single inhaler is safe. What remains unanswered is whether this conclusion applies to patients who have the most severe and unstable disease.