Combination therapy salmeterol/fluticasone versus doubling dose of fluticasone in children with asthma.

Rationale: For children with symptomatic asthma despite low to moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids, evidence is still lacking whether to add a long-acting bronchodilator or to increase the dose of inhaled corticosteroids.

Objective: To evaluate whether salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SFP), 50/100 μg twice a day, is noninferior regarding symptom control compared with fluticasone propionate (FP), 200 μg twice a day Diskus in children with symptomatic asthma.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind study was performed comparing SFP and FP treatment during 26 weeks on asthma control and lung function.