Conclusions
For the primary outcome variable, time to first severe asthma exacerbation, this study
did not demonstrate any difference between Symbicort maintenance and reliever therapy and Seretide at its highest approved dose.
Symbicort maintenance and reliever therapy was superior to the Seretide treatment with regard to the total number of severe asthma exacerbations, the total number of hospitalization/ER treatments, and the time to first hospitalization/ER treatment. Other secondary outcome variables based on lung function, asthma symptoms, as-needed use, and the Asthma Control Questionnaire showed no difference between the treatments. Overall, Symbicort maintenance and reliever therapy provided similar or better asthma control than Seretide, at a lower dose. Both treatments were safe and well tolerated and raised no new safety concerns.