Statistical analysis of primary variables
| Treatment comparisons | Severe exacerbations | FEV1 | ||||
| Reduction % (absolute values#) | 95% CI | p‐value | Increase % | 95% CI | p‐value | |
| Budesonide/formoterol versus placebo | 24 (0.758) | 1.9–41.4 | 0.035 | 15 | 11.0–19.1 | <0.001 |
| Budesonide/formoterol versus budesonide | 11 (0.889) | −15.9–31.8 | 0.385 | 9 | 5.4–13.1 | <0.001 |
| Budesonide/formoterol versus formoterol | 23 (0.771) | 0.8–40.1 | 0.043 | 1 | −2.2–4.9 | 0.487 |
| Budesonide versus placebo | 15 (0.852) | −10.3–34.1 | 0.224 | 5 | 1.5–9.1 | 0.005 |
| Formoterol versus placebo | 2 (0.984) | −25.7–23.0 | 0.895 | 14 | 9.5–17.7 | <0.001 |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
CI: confidence interval
#: rate ratios (see Analysis section)