ABSTRACT
Objective To provide a quantitative summary estimate on the efficacy and safety measures of the combination therapy.Methods We searched databases(Medline and Embase)from January 1997 to December 2009 using‘ Fluticasone and salmerterol' or‘ Seretide' or‘ Advair' or‘ budesonide/formoterol' or‘ Symbicort Turbuhaler' in combination with ‘ Randomised controlled trial'.The databases of GlaxoSmithKline Clinical Trial Register and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register,or relevant original studies and review articles were approached for additional studies or details of all relevant studies.Results Morning peak expiratory flow(PEF),evening PEF and clinic FEV1 were 17.59L/min,14.95L/min and 0.08L/min higher with combination therpy than with increasing ICSs by two fold or more at endpoint,respectively.The risk of asthmatic exacerbation was reduced in the combination therpy group compared with the increased doses of ICS groups,with OR being 0.61(95 ％ CI 0.53 ～ 0.70,P ＜ 0.01).Significantly increases in the percent of symptom-free days 6.30(95％ CI 3.52 ～9.10),asthma-control days 9.49(95％ CI 4.74 ～14.25)and relieve-free days 6.59(95％ CI 6.10 ～ 7.08)were observed in patients treated with ICS/LABA compared with increased doses of ICSs at endpoint.Reduction in reliever medication use(inhalations/day)0.22(95 ％ CI 0.11 ～0.33)with significant difference was also observed at endpoint.Conclusion Combination products of ICS/LABA were more effective than a high dose of ICSs in improving lung function,reducing asthmatic exacerbation and use of reliever medication and improving control of asthma.