Table 1.
Characteristics of participants of included studies
| Study/year/region | Participants, n/male, % | Age, year, mean ± SD | Treatment duration | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papi et al. [23]/2007/Europe | 219/42.1% | 43.4±12.3 VS 46.0±11.1 | 12 wk | 18-65 years; moderate to severe persistent asthma; FEV1 50-80% of predicted normal values; had asthma symptoms not adequately controlled at a daily dose ≤1000 μg of BDP-equivalent | COPD or smokers; severe exacerbation or RTI ≤8 weeks; three or more courses of oral corticosteroids or hospitalisation due to asthma ≤6 months; treatment with LABAs, anticholinergics or antihistamines ≤2 weeks, and/or with topical or intra-nasal corticosteroids or leukotriene antagonists or change of ICS dose ≤4 weeks |
| Hauber et al. [24]/2006/Canada | 17/41.2% | 36.8±2.9 VS 34.9±2.9 | 4 wk | mildly asthmatic patients who were only using SABA | Patients with respiratory infection in the previous three months |
| Molimard et al. [25]/2005/France | 311/50.2% | 42.4±14.1 VS 42.9±13.8 | 12 wk | 18-60 years; moderate to severe asthma; not controlled on BDP ≤1000 μg/d; nocturnal discomfort during previous 5 days or asthma requiring 2 puffs/d beta-agonist in last 7 days | COPD; upper or lower RTI ≤4 weeks; exacerbation of asthma leading to hospitalisation or systemic steroids treatment in 4 weeks prior to inclusion |
| Worth et al. [26]/2001/Europe | 209/44.5% | 49.2±14.3 VS 47.8±13.8 | 8 wk | 18-75 years; moderate to severe asthma (PEF 50-80%); inhaled corticosteroid at an equivalent dosage to BUD 500-1000 μg/d and a SABA on an “as needed” basis in the previous 4 weeks | Significant diseases other than asthma; acute upper or lower RTI ≤2 weeks; systemic steroids treatment ≤8 weeks; current use of nasal steroid ≥400 μg BDP or equivalent, or varying doses of nasal steroid |
| Reichel et al. [27]/2001/Europe | 193/52.3% | 46.2±14.0 VS 46.4±13.5 | 6 wk | 18-75 years; had asthma for at least four weeks before study (PEF 50-90%); not controlled on BUD 400 μg/d and “as required” SABA therapy | Significant respiratory diseases other than asthma or oral candidiasis; RTI ≤2 weeks; systemic steroids treatment ≤4 weeks; alcohol or substance abuse ≤2 years; current use of nasal steroid ≥400 μg BDP or equivalent |
SABA, short acting β agonist; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; RTI, respiratory tract infection; LABA, long acting β agonist.