The comparison of fluticasone propionate/formoterol with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol for paediatric asthma: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: The comparison of fluticasone propionate/formoterol (FP/FORM) with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/SAL) for paediatric asthma remains controversial. Aim: We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy and safety of FP/FORM versus FP/SAL for paediatric asthma. Material and methods: We have searched PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library data-bases through August 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of FP/FORM versus FP/SAL for paediatric asthma. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effects model. Results: Three RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall for paediatric asthma, FP/FORM and FP/SAL demonstrate a comparable influence on FEV1 (Std. MD = -0.01; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.03; p = 0.62), FVC (Std. MD = 0; 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.06; p = 0.87), FEF25 (Std. MD = -1.69; 95% CI: -6.69 to 3.31; p = 0.51), FEF50 (Std. MD = 0.10; 95% CI: -0.12 to 0.33; p = 0.37), FEF75 (Std. MD = 0.01; 95% CI: -0.21 to 0.24; p = 0.91), asthma symptom scores (Std. MD = -0.03; 95% CI: -0.11 to 0.04; p = 0.43), sleep disturbance scores (Std. MD = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.19 to 0.24; p = 0.81) and adverse events (RR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.38; p = 0.61). Conclusions: FP/FORM and FP/SAL show a comparable efficacy for paediatric asthma.