A multicenter, placebo-controlled study of twice daily triamcinolone acetonide (800 microg per day) for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate asthma.

BACKGROUND: National and international guidelines recommend the use of inhaled antiinflammatory medications in patients with all but the mildest forms of asthma. Twice daily dosing may increase compliance with therapy. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 400 microg twice daily triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) compared with placebo in adult patients with mild-to-moderate asthma who were poorly controlled by beta2-agonist therapy. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, including a screening visit, a 7- to 21-day pretreatment baseline phase, and a 6-week double-blind treatment phase. Efficacy was measured by weekly spirometry and daily diary recordings of peak flow rates, asthma symptom scores, and albuterol use. Eligible patients used albuterol four or more times per day, had total asthma symptom scores of 15 or greater (possible total, 60) over 5 of 7 baseline days, and had FEV1 measurements of 60% of predicted value or greater. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one patients were randomized to treatment. TAA was superior to placebo for all efficacy measures, with significant improvements in asthma symptoms, albuterol use, morning and evening peak flow rates, and forced vital capacity evident at Treatment Week 1. Significant improvements in other pulmonary function measurements were observed after 2 or more weeks. All efficacy variables improved progressively throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Twice daily TAA (400 microg) decreased asthma symptoms and improved lung function in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma compared with placebo. Therapeutic benefit was evident within 1 week and increased throughout treatment.