Use of regularly scheduled albuterol treatment in asthma: genotype-stratified, randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over trial.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-1-2004
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The issue of whether regular use of an inhaled beta2-adrenergic agonist worsens airflow and clinical outcomes in asthma is controversial. Retrospective studies have suggested that adverse effects occur in patients with a genetic polymorphism that results in homozygosity for arginine (Arg/Arg), rather than glycine (Gly/Gly), at aminoacid residue 16 of the beta2-adrenergic receptor. However, the existence of any genotype-dependent difference has not been tested in a prospective clinical trial.
METHODS: Patients with mild asthma, not using a controller medication, were enrolled in pairs matched for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) according to whether they had the Arg/Arg (n=37; four of 41 matches withdrew before randomisation) or Gly/Gly (n=41) genotype. Regularly scheduled treatment with albuterol or placebo was given in a masked, cross-over design, for 16-week periods. During the study, as-needed albuterol use was discontinued and ipratropium bromide was used as needed. Morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was the primary outcome variable. The primary comparisons were between treatment period for each genotype; the secondary outcome was a treatment by genotype effect. Analyses were by intention to treat.
FINDINGS: During the run-in period, when albuterol use was kept to a minimum, patients with the Arg/Arg genotype had an increase in morning PEFR of 23 L/min (p=0.0162); the change in patients with the Gly/Gly genotype was not significant (2 L/min; p=0.8399). During randomised treatment, patients with the Gly/Gly genotype had an increase in morning PEFR during treatment with regularly scheduled albuterol compared with placebo (14 L/min [95% CI 3 to 25]; p=0.0175). By contrast, patients with the Arg/Arg genotype had lower morning PEFR during treatment with albuterol than during the placebo period, when albuterol use was limited (-10 L/min [-19 to -2]; p=0.0209). The genotype-attributable treatment difference was therefore -24 L/min (-37 to -12; p=0.0003). There were similar genotype-specific effects in FEV1, symptoms, and use of supplementary reliever medication.
INTERPRETATION: Genotype at the 16th aminoacid residue of the beta2-adrenergic receptor affects the long-term response to albuterol use. Bronchodilator treatments avoiding albuterol may be appropriate for patients with the Arg/Arg genotype.
Volume
364
Issue
9444
First Page
1505
Last Page
1512
ISSN
1474-547X
Published In/Presented At
Israel, E., Chinchilli, V. M., Ford, J. G., Boushey, H. A., Cherniack, R., Craig, T. J., Deykin, A., Fagan, J. K., Fahy, J. V., Fish, J., Kraft, M., Kunselman, S. J., Lazarus, S. C., Lemanske, R. F., Jr, Liggett, S. B., Martin, R. J., Mitra, N., Peters, S. P., Silverman, E., Sorkness, C. A., … National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Asthma Clinical Research Network (2004). Use of regularly scheduled albuterol treatment in asthma: genotype-stratified, randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Lancet (London, England), 364(9444), 1505–1512. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17273-5
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
15500895
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article