Assessment of the efficacy and medication adherence of fluticasone propionate–salmeterol combination delivered via a capsule-based dry powder inhaler in asthmatic patients

Main Article Content

Özge Göktürk https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0892-6898
Ayfer Utkusavaş
Murat Akıncı
Kurtuluş Aksu

Keywords

Asthma, Fluticasone propionate-salmeterol combination, Capsule-based dry powder inhaler, Asthma control test, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8, Pulmonary function tests

Abstract

Introduction: The primary treatment for asthma is inhaled medication, and therefore, regular patient follow-up significantly impacts treatment outcomes. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of fluticasone–salmeterol combination treatment via a capsule-based dry powder inhaler and medication adherence at first and third months of treatment in asthmatic patients.
Methods: This study is an observational study retrospectively examining the clinical data of asthma patients treated with RESPIRO-D capsule inhaler. The study population consisted of adult asthma patients requiring level 3 asthma treatment according to GINA criteria. Data, including baseline and follow-up clinical characteristics such as age, gender, smoking history, body mass index, comorbidities, pulmonary function test (PFT) values, asthma control test (ACT) scores, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) scores, were obtained by reviewing patient records. PFT, ACT scores, and MMAS-8 measurements were recorded and compared at three different time points (baseline, first month, third month) in asthmatic individuals treated with a fluticasone–salmeterol capsule inhaler.
Results: In all, 131 subjects were included in the study. Statistically significant increase was seen in all lung functions in spirometric measurements recorded at baseline and at first and third months of treatment. ACT scores of subjects were increased at first month of treatment compared to baseline and further increased at third month of treatment compared to 1st month of treatment. MMAS-8 did not change significantly at first and third months of treatment. None of the patients stopped treatment due to drug-related side effects.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that fluticasone-salmeterol capsule inhaler therapy can significantly improve symptom control and respiratory function in adult asthma patients.

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