Abstract
Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic irreversible airway disease. Patients usually suffer from breathlessness, productive cough and poor quality of life. The efficacy of combination LABA/ICS in bronchiectasis is lack of evidence.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of inhaled salmeterol/fluticasone (S/F) on lung function, health-related quality of life, and exercise capacity in bronchiectasis patients.
Method: Thirty-two symptomatic bronchiectasis patients diagnosed by high-resolution CT scan of the thorax were enrolled into the study. Patients who smoked more than 10 pack-years or have bronchodilator response were excluded. Patients were randomized to receive inhaled S/F 50/250 mcg twice daily via spacer or placebo. Demographic data, spirometry results, Saint George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) score and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were collected at baseline and at 12 week.
Results: At 12 week, treatment with S/F improved pre-bronchodilator FEV1 0.164 L (p = 0.010), pre-bronchodilator FVC 0.201 L (p = 0.016) and post-bronchodilator FVC 0.128 L (p = 0.040) compared with placebo. In S/F group, an improvement in total SGRQ from baseline was observed while no statistical improvement in total SGRQ score in placebo group (mean change of total SGRQ score -11.64 (p < 0.001), 4.91 (p = 0.236), respectively. There are no differences in 6MWD from baseline in both groups (mean change of S/F and placebo group = 18.0, -5.6 m: p = 0.178). Mild exacerbation was observed in 3 and 1 case of S/F and placebo group, respectively.
Conclusion: Salmeterol/fluticasone treatment improves pulmonary function and overall quality of life in bronchiectasis patients.
- © 2014 ERS
