Publication
Title
Effect of fluticasone with and without salmeterol on pulmonary outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a randomized trial
Author
Institution/Organisation
GLUCOLD Study Grp
Abstract
Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABAs) are used to treat moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: To determine whether long-term ICS therapy, with and without LABAs, reduces inflammation and improves pulmonary function in COPD. Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00158847) Setting: 2 university medical centers in The Netherlands. Patients: 114 steroid-naive current or former smokers with moderate to severe COPD. Measurements: Cell counts in bronchial biopsies and sputum (primary outcome); methacholine responsiveness at baseline, 6, and 30 months; and clinical outcomes every 3 months. Intervention: Random assignment by minimization method to receive fluticasone propionate, 500 mu g twice daily, for 6 months (n = 31) or 30 months (n = 26); fluticasone, 500 mu g twice daily, and salmeterol, 50 mu g twice daily, for 30 months (single inhaler; n = 28); or placebo twice daily (n = 29). Results: 101 patients were greater than 70% adherent to therapy. Fluticasone therapy decreased counts of mucosal CD3(+) cells (-55% [95% CI, -74% to -22%]; P = 0.004), CD4(+) cells (-78% [CI, -88% to 60%]; P < 0.001), CD8(+) cells (-57% [CI, -77% to -18%]; P = 0.010), and mast cells (-38% [CI, -60% to -2%]; P = 0.039) and reduced hyperresponsiveness (P = 0.036) versus placebo at 6 months, with effects maintained after 30 months. Fluticasone therapy for 30 months reduced mast cell count and increased eosinophil count and percentage of intact epithelium, with accompanying reductions in sputum neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocyte counts and improvements in FEV1 decline, dyspnea, and quality of life. Reductions in inflammatory cells correlated with clinical improvements. Discontinuing fluticasone therapy at 6 months increased counts of CD3(+) cells (120% [CI, 24% to 289%]; P = 0.007), mast cells (218% [CI, 99% to 407%]; P < 0.001), and plasma cells (118% [CI, 9% to 336%]; P = 0.028) and worsened clinical outcome. Adding salmeterol improved FEV1 level. Limitations: The study was not designed to evaluate clinical outcomes. Measurement of primary outcome was not available for 24% of patients at 30 months. Conclusion: ICS therapy decreases inflammation and can attenuate decline in lung function in steroid-naive patients with moderate to severe COPD. Adding LABAs does not enhance these effects.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Annals of internal medicine / American College of Physicians. - Philadelphia, Pa, 1927, currens
Publication
Philadelphia, Pa : 2009
ISSN
0003-4819
1539-3704 [online]
DOI
10.7326/0003-4819-151-8-200910200-00004
Volume/pages
151 :8 (2009) , p. 517-527
ISI
000271386200001
Pubmed ID
19841453
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.10.2020
Last edited 19.11.2024
To cite this reference