A Retrospective Study Evaluating Asthma Control in Patients on Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Proactive Regular Dosing with a History of Uncontrolled Asthma

Introduction: The MERIT study in Malaysia is a real-world retrospective, observational, multicenter study that evaluated asthma control in patients with uncontrolled asthma who were switched from as-needed (pro re nata [PRN]) budesonide/formoterol or inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) whenever a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) was taken, to proactive regular dosing of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/SAL PRD).

Methods: Data from the medical records of patients who were stepped up to FP/SAL PRD were extracted retrospectively at baseline and follow-up (between 3 and 6 months after stepping up to FP/SAL PRD). The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with improvement in asthma control assessed via the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Secondary endpoints included safety and the percentage of patients with moderate and severe exacerbations. Additionally, patient-reported use of reliever medication, systemic corticosteroids, emergency department visits, or hospitalization was also analyzed.

Results: One hundred twenty patients with uncontrolled asthma who were stepped up to FP/SAL PRD were enrolled in the study. Of these, 76 (63.3%) patients were on prior budesonide/formoterol PRN, and 44 (36.7%) were on prior ICS with SABA PRN treatment. After stepping up to FP/SAL PRD with a mean follow-up of 5.8 months, 110 (91.7%) patients achieved asthma control at the follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Similar improvements were observed regardless of prior PRN regimen. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the mean ACT score at the follow-up visit (p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with moderate and severe exacerbations was also reduced after stepping up to FP/SAL PRD, with no adverse events reported. Over 80% of patients reported a decrease in the use of systemic corticosteroids, visits to the emergency department, or hospitalization.

Conclusion: This study highlights the effectiveness of the FP/SAL PRD treatment approach in patients with uncontrolled asthma on a PRN treatment regimen.