New AHRQ Report: Intermittent Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists for Asthma

The Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has compiled the evidence review “Intermittent Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists for Asthma.”

Key findings of the review include:

• In children less than 5 years old with recurrent wheezing, intermittent use of inhaled corticosteroids during an upper respiratory tract infection decreases asthma exacerbations
• In patients 12 years and older with persistent asthma: (1) using inhaled corticosteroids intermittently may be as effective as using them as a controller medication; (2) using inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists together as controller and quick relief therapy reduces asthma exacerbations compared to using inhaled corticosteroids alone or with long-acting beta agonist as a controller
• In patients 12 years and older with uncontrolled, persistent asthma, adding long-acting muscarinic antagonist to: (1) inhaled corticosteroids reduces exacerbations and improves lung function; (2) inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonist controllers improves asthma control and lung function

You can read the full article on the AHRQ’s website. For a list of allergy/immunology practice parameters and other guidelines, visit aaaai.org.

Several AAAAI members helped to develop the review including Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI, and Stanley J. Szefler, MD, FAAAAI, who served on the Technical Expert Panel, and William W. Busse, MD, FAAAAI, who served as a peer reviewer.