Review: LABAs are better than leukotriene receptor antagonists when added to inhaled corticosteroids in recurrent asthma

Outcomes Number of trials (n) Weighted event rates RRR (95% CI) NNT (CI) Patients with [= or >, slanted]1 exacerbations requiring corticosteroids 6 (5571) 9% v 11% 17%(3 to 29) 54 (32 to 306) Withdrawals for any reason 10 (6225) 12% v 14% 17% (5 to 27) 42 (26 to 140) Weighted mean difference (CI) Symptom free days (%) 5 (2626) 7.1 (4.5 to 9.7) Day time symptom score[dagger] 5 (3823) -0.14 (-0.18 to -0.09) Rescue free days (%) 5 (2612) 9.0 (6.4 to 11) Rescue medication use (puffs/d) 7 (4055) -0.46 (-0.56 to -0.35) Asthma quality of life questionnaire score 3 (2893) 0.11 (0.05 to 0.17) *Abbreviations defined in glossary; weighted mean difference, weighted event rates, RRR, NNT, and CI based on a fixed effects model. [dagger]Higher score indicates worse outcome. Jun 1, 2007 Choosing the most appropriate medication for patients with moderate or severe persistent asthma can be challenging for healthcare professionals because of conflicting clinical information, Food and Drug Administration black box warnings, and media coverage about potential harmful effects of medication.