TY - JOUR T1 - Add-on effects of long-acting β<sub>2</sub>-agonists salmeterol inhaler <em>vs</em> tulobuterol patch in adult patients with mild-to-moderate asthma JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P3396 AU - Hideki Inoue AU - Akio Niimi AU - Hisako Matsumoto AU - Isao Ito AU - Tsuyoshi Oguma AU - Kojiro Otsuka AU - Tomoshi Takeda AU - Hitoshi Nakaji AU - Tomoko Tajiri AU - Toshiyuki Iwata AU - Tadao Nagasaki AU - Michiaki Mishima Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3396.abstract N2 - Background: Tulobuterol patch (TP) is a sustained-release β2-agonist formulation involving a transdermal delivery system, and commonly used as a long-acting β2-agonist in Japan and other East Asian countries. Among COPD patients, TP improved QOL scores significantly better than salmeterol inhaler (SM) (Treat Respir Med 2005;4:447), but such evidence is scarce for asthma.Aim: To compare the add-on effects on clinical measurements, asthma control, and QOL between TP and SM in symptomatic patients with asthma.Methods: Mild-to-moderate asthmatics who were suboptimally controlled despite taking inhaled corticosteroids were randomized to receive to TP (2 mg q24h, n=16) or SM (50 μg q12h, n=17) for 12 weeks in open-label manner. Spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS), exhaled NO, MRC, Asthma Control Test (ACT), QOL (SGRQ), and symptom scores were evaluated every 4 weeks.Results: Baseline characteristics did not differ between the two groups. After 12 week treatment, FEF25-75%, MEF25%, and R5 of IOS significantly improved only in the SM group; these changes achieved statistical significance vs the TP group. FEV1, and R20 and X5 of IOS also significantly improved only in the SM group, but there was no between-group difference. ACT and SGRQ scores (total, symptom, and impact) significantly improved only in the TP group, but without between-group difference. The improvements of exhaled NO, MRC, and symptom scores were similar between the two groups.Conclusions: SM provides greater bronchodilatory effects than TP. TP might be more efficient on asthma control and QOL than SM, as reported in COPD, but larger future studies are needed to confirm this. ER -