Evaluation of the efficiency of single-inhaler combination therapy with budesonide/formoterol fumarate in patients with bronchial asthma in daily clinical practice

Study summary:

Evaluation of the efficiency of single-inhaler combination therapy with budesonide/formoterol fumarate in patients with bronchial asthma in daily clinical practice.

Pirozynski et al. 2017. Adv Ther

• The clinical efficacy of budesonide/formoterol fumarate Bufomix Easyhaler^® inhaler in daily practice was assessed in 2200 patients with bronchial asthma.

• The proportion of patients with well-controlled or totally controlled asthma, as defined by ACT score of  ≥ 20, increased from 46.6% at enrollment to 90.8% at the second control visit (p<0.001).

• Treatment adherence rate was above 95%, and patients reported excellent satisfaction and ease of use of the inhaler.

The combination of the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) budesonide and long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA) formoterol has been proven effective in controlling bronchial asthma through suppression of chronic inflammation and reduction of airway hyperresponsiveness. In this real-life post-authorization efficacy study (PAES), Bufomix Easyhaler^® inhalator – a dry powder inhaler budesonide/formoterol fumarate combination product – was shown to be highly effective and easy to use in daily clinical practice. Excellent medical adherence and patient satisfaction were also reported. 

The clinical efficacy of Bufomix Easyhaler was assessed in a non-randomized, open-label, and non-interventional multicenter study in Poland. This real-life study was conducted in 2200 combination-naïve adult asthma patients who had recently (at least 14 days before enrollment) started budesonide/formoterol treatment (320/9 µg or 160/4.5 µg per inhalation). Asthma Control Test (ACT) was recorded on enrollment and during two control visits after intervals of 8–12-weeks; mean exposure to Bufomix Easyhaler was 142±27 days. Prior to the start of treatment, over 50% of patients had been treated for asthma for longer than 5 years; 54.6% were using an ICS and 33% were using LABA and ICS therapies separately. Most patients had mild chronic (32.6%) or moderate persistent asthma (59.8%) (GINA 2015). The percentage of patients with well-controlled or totally controlled (ACT score 20–25 points), and poorly controlled asthma (ACT score <15 points) was the primary endpoint of this study.

The proportion of patients with well-controlled or totally controlled asthma increased from 46.6% at the first visit (enrollment) to 90.8% at the second control visit (p<0.001) (Figure 1); from 41.1% to 87.7% (p<0.001) for the higher dose and 55.0% to 95.5% (p<0.001) for the lower dose. The proportion of patients with poorly controlled asthma decreased from 14.9% to 1.2% (p<0.001). Adherenceto the use of Bufomix Easyhaler increased from 88.0% to 95.3% (MAQ, Medication Adherence Questionnaire; p<0.001). Patient satisfaction was over 90%: the product was considered portable, easy to use and hygienic.

Figure 1. Asthma control obtained with fix-dosed budesonide/formoterol fumarate combination therapy (Bufomix Easyhaler^®) during three visits (p<0.001). ATC, asthma control test.

This real-life study demonstrated that Bufomix Easyhaler has good clinical efficacy in the treatment of asthma in routine daily clinical practice, in outpatient adults, as measured by ACT. Patients reported excellent satisfaction and ease of use of the inhaler.

Piroźyński M, Hantulik P, Almgren-Rachtan A, Chudek J. Evaluation of the efficiency of single inhaler combination therapy with budesonide/formoterol fumarate in patients with bronchial asthma in daily clinical practice. Advances in Therapy 2017;34(12):2648-2660.