Once-Daily Fluticasone Propionate in Stable Asthma: Study on Airway Inflammation

Abstract

Children with stable asthma receiving twice-daily fluticasone propionate (FP) were studied. Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and sputum eosinophils were measured at baseline and 8 weeks after FP was changed to once-daily use while keeping the same total dosage. Visual analogue scores on asthma severity, symptoms, and dosing regimen preference were obtained. Twenty-nine children of mean age 10.6 years (SD 2.5) were recruited. There was significant improvement in eNO (47.1 ppb [30.3] vs. 39.9 ppb [27.1], p = 0.037), and sputum eosinophils (5.7% [6.5] vs. 2.5% [3.9], p = 0.024] after 8 weeks. All subjects preferred the once-daily dosing regimen. Once-daily FP is effective in controlling airway inflammation. This frequency of medication use is also the preferred regimen.

Keywords:

• fluticasone propionate
• asthma
• once-daily
• airway inflammation