Figure 2.

The cumulative rate of severe exacerbations in a study comparing budesonide-formoterol as maintenance and reliever therapy (Symbicort SMART®) compared with salmeterol-fluticasone in adjustable dosing and salbutamol used as needed. Symbicort SMART reduced the exacerbation rate by 22% (p < 0.01). Copyright © 2005. Reproduced with permission from Vogelmeier C, D’Urzo A, Pauwels R, et al. 2005. Budesonide-formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy: an effective asthma treatment option? Eur Respir J, 26:819–28.

Abbreviations: BUD/FORM, budesonide-formoterol; SAL/FP, salmeterol-fluticasone.