Effects of short-term treatment with atorvastatin in smokers with asthma - a randomized controlled trial

Braganza, G. et al. (2011) Effects of short-term treatment with atorvastatin in smokers with asthma - a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 11(16), (doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-11-16)

Abstract

<b>Background</b> The immune modulating properties of statins may benefit smokers with asthma. We tested the hypothesis that short-term treatment with atorvastatin improves lung function or indices of asthma control in smokers with asthma.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> Seventy one smokers with mild to moderate asthma were recruited to a randomized double-blind parallel group trial comparing treatment with atorvastatin (40 mg per day) versus placebo for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks treatment inhaled beclometasone (400 ug per day) was added to both treatment arms for a further 4 weeks. The primary outcome was morning peak expiratory flow after 4 weeks treatment. Secondary outcome measures included indices of asthma control and airway inflammation.<p></p> <b>Results</b> At 4 weeks, there was no improvement in the atorvastatin group compared to the placebo group in morning peak expiratory flow [-10.67 L/min, 95% CI -38.70 to 17.37, p=0.449], but there was an improvement with atorvastatin in asthma quality of life score [0.52, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.87 p=0.005]. There was no significant improvement with atorvastatin and inhaled beclometasone compared to inhaled beclometasone alone in outcome measures at 8 weeks.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Short-term treatment with atorvastatin does not alter lung function but may improve asthma quality of life in smokers with mild to moderate asthma. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00463827

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Braganza, Dr Georgina and Thomson, Professor Neil and Jolly, Miss Lisa and Weir, Christopher and Lloyd, Miss Suzanne and Mair, Professor Frances and Spears, Dr Mark and Chaudhuri, Dr Rekha and Lafferty, Mrs Jane and Donnelly, Mrs Iona and McSharry, Dr Charles
• Authors: Braganza, G., Chaudhuri, R., McSharry, C., Weir, C. J., Donnelly, I., Jolly, L., Lafferty, J., Lloyd, S. M., Spears, M., Mair, F., and Thomson, N. C.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: BMC Pulmonary Medicine
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1471-2466
• Published Online: 07 April 2011
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMC Pulmonary Medicine 11(16)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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• PubMed

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
42474	1	Effect of statin on asthma control and airway inflammation in smokers with asthma	Neil Thomson	Medical Research Council (MRC)	G0501955	Infection Immunity and Inflammation Medicine