Results of American Lung Association clinical research published today in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a simpler, once-a-day regimen of a combination inhaler containing an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist is just as effective as twice-daily inhaled corticosteroid treatment in patients with mild persistent asthma, which may open the doors to more convenient treatment plans for millions of Americans.

"Effective, less intensive alternatives may lead to greater adherence among patients, which would mean better asthma control with a minimum of medication-the goal of asthma treatment," said Norman H. Edelman, M.D., American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer.

"For patients, a simpler treatment plan means less drugs to take-and to remember to take-every day, fewer prescription refills and perhaps less money spent on medications, and fewer side effects. This is the kind of practical research that is helpful immediately for both physicians and patients alike."

The study conducted by the American Lung Association' Asthma Clinical Research Centers, the Leukotriene Modifier or Corticosteroid or Corticosteroid-Salmeterol (LOCCS) Trial compared alternative treatments among 500 adults and children whose mild persistent asthma was well controlled with standard asthma therapy (twice-daily low dose of an inhaled corticosteroid). Subjects were assigned to one of three study groups: one that continued to take the inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone) twice daily; one that took a combination inhaler containing an inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone) and a long-acting (inhaled) bronchodilator (salmeterol) once-daily; and one that took the leukotriene modifier, montelukast (pill form) once-daily. Results showed that once-daily fluticasone…