New findings could change the way doctors treat asthma.

Over ten per cent of the world’s adult population suffer from asthma.

A new international study conducted by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), including hundreds of patients with mild asthma, has found that a more simplified, single combination inhaler treatment more than halves the risk of severe asthma attacks compared to commonly prescribed asthma treatments.

“The findings from this study are exciting and have the potential to be a gamechanger in the way doctors treat mild asthma,” says study author and MRINZ Director Professor Richard Beasley.

“The results provide new evidence supporting recent major changes in the management approach recommended in international asthma treatment guidelines.

“The trial shows for the first time that when patients take just a single combined preventer-reliever inhaler whenever needed to relieve symptoms, they do a lot better than the current recommended treatment of a regular preventer inhaler taken twice daily plus a reliever inhaler whenever needed to relieve symptoms.

“The greater benefit was achieved despite exposure to less than half the amount of inhaled corticosteroid preventer medication because the inhaled corticosteroid works better when taken as needed in mild asthma.

“This novel approach simplifies treatment as it doesn’t require patients to take a preventer inhaler twice daily even when they have no symptoms,” he says.

“It also addresses two key problems in asthma management; the reluctance of doctors to prescribe regular preventer inhaler therapy and the reluctance of patients to use it when they feel well. With a combined preventer-reliever inhaler, patients have more personal and immediate control over their asthma management. This takes advantage of the patient’s natural behaviour to take a reliever only when they are experiencing symptoms.”

The study is accessible here.