Denver—Which is more effective in improving time to an asthma exacerbation for black adults using an inhaled corticosteroid: a long-acting beta-agonist or the anticholinergic tiotropium? It doesn’t appear to make a difference, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Despite national treatment recommendations, the safety of LABA has been questioned, especially in black populations. In addition, data has suggested that black patients might not benefit from LABA as much as individuals of other races. A study team led by researchers from National Jewish Health in Denver looked at comparisons of asthma therapy in black adults at 20 treatment sites, also finding that LABA plus inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was not superior to tiotropium plus ICS for secondary outcomes that addressed additional dimensions of asthma control, such as patient-reported outcomes, spirometry, rescue medication use, or asthma deteriorations.
Published November 30, 2015
