References

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2. Li X, Ward C, Thien F, et al. An anti-inflammatory effect of salmeterol, a long-acting beta₂ agonist, assessed in airway biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage in asthma. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1999; 160:1493-9. [Back to document]

3. Roberts JA, Bradding P, Britten KM, et al. The long-acting beta₂-agonist salmeterol xinafoate: effects on airway inflammation in asthma. European Respiratory Journal 1999; 14:275-82. [Back to document]

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5. Kips JC, O’Connor BJ, Inman MD, Svensson K, Pauwels RA, O’Byrne PM. A long-term study of the anti-inflammatory effect of low-dose budesonide plus formoterol versus high-dose budesonide in asthma. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2000; 161:996-1001. [Back to document]

6. Grutters JC, Brinkman L, Aslander MM, van den Bosch JM, Koenderman L, Lammers JW. Asthma therapy modulates priming-associated blood eosinophil responsiveness in allergic asthmatics. European Respiratory Journal 1999; 14:915-22. [Back to document]

7. Eickelberg O, Roth M, Lorx R, et al. Ligand-independent activation of the glucocorticoid receptor by beta₂-adrenergic receptor agonists in primary human lung fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1999; 274:1005-10. [Back to document]

8. Holt S, Suder A, Weatherall, M et al. Dose-response relation of inhaled fluticasone propionate in adolescence and adults with asthma: meta-analysis. British Medical Journal, 2001; 323: 253-256.[Back to document]

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10. Woolcock AJ, Lundback B, Ringdal N et al. Comparison of addition of salmeterol to inhaled steroids with doubling the dose of inhaled steroids. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1996;153:1481-1488. [Back to document]

11. Greening AP, Ind PW, Northfield M et al. Added salmeterol versus higher-dose corticosteroid in asthma patients with symptoms on existing inhaled corticosteroid. Lancet 1994; 344: 219-24. [Back to document]

12. Pauwels RA, Lofdahl C-G, Postma DS et al. Effect of inhaled formoterol and budesonide on exacerbations of asthma. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1405-1411. [Back to document]

13. Shrewsbury S, Pyke S, Britton M. Meta-analysis of increased dose of inhaled steroid or addition of salmeterol in symptomatic asthma (MIASMA). BMJ 2000;320:1368-1373. [Back to document]

14. Kavuru M, Melamed J, Gross J, LaForce C, House H, Prillaman B, et al. Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate combined in a new powder inhalation device for the treatment of asthma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;150:1108–16. [Back to document]

15. Jenkins C, Woolcock AJ, Saarelainen P, James MH. Seretide (salmeterol 50 mcg/fluticasone propionate 250 mcg bd) compared with budesonide 800 mcg bd. Respir Med 2000;94:715–23. [Back to document]

16. Zetterstrom O, Buhl R, Mellem H et al. Improved asthma control with budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler, compared with budesonide alone. Eur Respir J 2001;18:262- 268. [Back to document]

17. Shapiro G, Lumry W, Wolfe J, Given J, White M, Woodring A, et al. Combined salmeterol 50 mcg and fluticasone propionate 250 mcg in the Diskus device for the treatment of asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000;161:527–34. [Back to document]

18. Russell G, Williams DA, Weller P, Price JF. Salmeterol xinafoate in children on high dose inhaled steroids. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 1995;75:423-8. [Back to document]

19. Van den Berg NJ, Ossip MS, Hederos CA, Anttila H, Ribeiro BL, Davies PI. Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (50/100mcg) in combination in a Diskus inhaler (Seretide) is effective and safe in children with asthma. Paediatric Pulmonology 2000;30:97- 105. [Back to document]

20. Asthma Management Handbook 2002. National Asthma Council, Melbourne, 2002.

Levels of Evidence

Level 1 – Systematic review of randomised controlled trials/large multi-centre trial.