Pragmatic Trials Point to Equivalence of LTRAs for Asthma

They added, "We think this alternative approach works in the real-world setting primarily because it is easier to take a pill once or twice a day than to use an inhaler. The data from the two studies support this view, since the rates of adherence to the oral LTRAs were 65% and 74% in the first-line controller and add-on therapy trials, respectively, compared with only 41% and 46% for the inhaled glucocorticoid."

This study was supported primarily by the U.K. Health Technology Assessment Programme. Additional funding for the study was provided by Clement Clarke International, Merck Sharp & Dohme, AstraZeneca, and Research in Real Life. Dr. Price and his associates reported numerous ties to industry sources. Dr. Ware and Dr. Hamel reported no conflicts of interest. Dr. Sven-Erik Dahlen reported ties to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline, and Dr. Barbro Dahlen reported ties to Actelion and Genentech.