Table 2.
Primary outcomes of meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of fluticasone/salmeterol versus budesonide/formoterol combination therapy40
| Outcome | Study | Fluticasone/salmeterol n/N (%) | Budesonide/formoterol n/N (%) | Odds ratio (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exacerbations requiring oral steroid treatment | Busse et al37 | 37/404 (9.2) | 37/422 (9.2) | 1.05 (0.65, 1.69) |
| Kuna et al39 | 109/1199 (9.1) | 108/1099 (9.8) | 0.92 (0.69, 1.21) | |
| Dahl et al38 | 63/694 (9.1) | 79/697 (11.3) | 0.78 (0.55, 1.11) | |
| Total | 209/2297 (9.1) | 224/2218 (10.1) | 0.89 (0.73, 1.09) | |
| Exacerbations requiring hospitalization | Aalbers et al36 | 0/219 (0.0) | 1/215 (0.5) | 0.33 (0.01, 8.04) |
| Busse et al37 | 2/404 (0.5) | 1/422 (0.2) | 2.09 (0.19, 23.19) | |
| Kuna et al39 | 15/1123 (1.2) | 13/1105 (1.2) | 1.14 (0.54, 2.40) | |
| Dahl et al38 | 4/694 (0.6) | 1/697 (0.1) | 4.03 (0.45, 36.19) | |
| Total | 21/2440 (0.8) | 16/2439 (0.7) | 1.29 (0.68, 2.47) | |
| Asthma-related serious AEs | Aalbers et al36 | 0/224 (0.0) | 1/215 (0.5) | 0.32 (0.01, 7.86) |
| Kuna et al39 | 15/1119 (1.3) | 12/1099 (1.1) | 1.23 (0.57, 2.64) | |
| Dahl et al38 | 6/697 (0.9) | 1/700 (0.1) | 6.07 (0.73, 50.55) | |
| Total | 21/2040 (1.0) | 14/2014 (0.7) | 1.47 (0.75, 2.86) |
Notes: Odds ratio represents the event risk for fluticasone/salmeterol relative to budesonide/formoterol.
Abbreviations: AEs, adverse events; CI, confidence interval.