New Inhaler Halves Childhood Asthma Attacks
- This document summarizes the key findings from a trial comparing the effectiveness of different asthma inhalers for children.
- A 2-in-1 inhaler (budesonide-formoterol) is more effective than salbutamol, the current standard reliever therapy, for children aged 5-15 with asthma, with no additional safety concerns.
- * Trial Name: CARE study (Children's anti-inflammatory REliever) * Participants: 360 children in New Zealand * Duration: 1 year * inhaler Comparison: Budesonide-formoterol vs.
Asthma Inhaler Trial Findings: A Summary
This document summarizes the key findings from a trial comparing the effectiveness of different asthma inhalers for children.
1.Core Finding:
A 2-in-1 inhaler (budesonide-formoterol) is more effective than salbutamol, the current standard reliever therapy, for children aged 5-15 with asthma, with no additional safety concerns.
2.Key details:
* Trial Name: CARE study (Children’s anti-inflammatory REliever)
* Participants: 360 children in New Zealand
* Duration: 1 year
* inhaler Comparison: Budesonide-formoterol vs. Salbutamol (used “on-demand” for symptom relief)
* Publication: The Lancet (Sept.27)
3.Effectiveness data:
The table below summarizes the asthma attack rates observed in the trial:
| Inhaler | Asthma Attack Rate (per participant per year) | Reduction in Attacks |
|---|---|---|
| Budesonide-Formoterol | 0.23 | 45% compared to Salbutamol |
| Salbutamol | 0.41 | – |
This translates to 18 fewer asthma attacks per year for every 100 children with mild asthma switched from salbutamol to budesonide-formoterol.
4. Safety:
* No significant differences were found in children’s growth, lung function, or asthma control between the two groups.
* The study confirmed the safety of the combined-inhaler approach.
5. Implications:
* Guideline Updates: The findings provide evidence to align children’s asthma guidelines with those for adults, which currently favor budesonide-formoterol as the preferred reliever treatment.
* Global Impact: This could benefit millions of children worldwide with mild-to-moderate asthma.
* Public Health Priority: Reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks in children is a significant public health goal.
* Reduced Disparities: Incorporation of these findings could help reduce disparities in asthma care globally.
6. Research Institutions Involved:
* Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) – Lead Institution
* Imperial College London
* University of Otago Wellington
* Starship Children’s Hospital
* University of Auckland
7. Quotes from Researchers:
* Dr. Lee Hatter (MRINZ): “This is a key step in addressing the evidence gap that exists between asthma management in adults and children…can considerably reduce asthma attacks in children with mild asthma.”
* Professor richard Beasley (MRINZ): “Implementing these findings could be transformative for asthma management on a global scale…has the potential to redefine the global standard of asthma management.”
8. Context & Background:
* Approximately 113 million children and adolescents worldwide have asthma.
* MRINZ researchers have previously conducted studies in adults that influenced international asthma treatment guidelines.
* The 2-in-1 budesonide-formoterol inhaler is already widely recommended for adults.
9. Limitations:
* the trial was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with associated public health measures and reduced respiratory virus circulation.