Association of Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long-Acting β-Agonists as Controller and Quick Relief Therapy With Exacerbations and Symptom Control in Persistent Asthma A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis -

Association of Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long-Acting β-Agonists as Controller and Quick Relief Therapy With Exacerbations and Symptom Control in Persistent Asthma A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Information type: Systematic reviews
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association
Specialities: Respiratory disorders
Summary
Meta-analysis (n=22,748) concludes use of single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) vs inhaled corticosteroids as the controller therapy (with or without long-acting β-agonist) and short-acting β-agonists as relief therapy was linked to lower risk of asthma exacerbations.
UKMi comment

Single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) is associated with a lower risk of asthma exacerbations compared with a higher dose of inhaled corticosteroids and LABA as controller therapy, absolute risk difference, −2.8% for the children aged 4-11yrs and −12.0% for those >12yrs.

This systematic review supports the combined use of inhaled corticosteroids and LABA as both the controller and quick relief therapy (SMART) among patients aged 12 years or older compared with using either the same or a higher dose of inhaled corticosteroids alone as the controller therapy or the same or a higher dose of inhaled corticosteroids and LABA as the controller therapy.

A related editorial discusses the implications of the findings of this study.
Related links: Editorial