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8 OCTOBER 2016 Inhalation INDUSTRY NEWS GSK results: LABA/steroid no greater risk to children than steroid only B R E N T F O R D , U K — G l a x o - SmithKline has announced publica- tion of results in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrating that children age 4-11 years with asthma using a combination long- acting beta-agonist (LABA)/steroid inhaer (Advair ® Diskus ® salmeterol/ fluticasone propionate) did not have any greater risk of harm than chil- dren using an inhaler only with steroid (fluticasone propionate). M e d l i n e P l u s a n d H e a l t h D a y reported that a 2008 analysis by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) questioned the safety of LABAs, noting that some studies had found an increased risk of asthma-related deaths in adults and asthma-related hospitalizations in children. In response, the FDA required a "boxed warning" label on the product and GlaxoSmithKline, t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r o f a L A B A intended for children, performed a large-scale safety trial. Study co- author Dr. Stanley Szefler of the University of Colorado said that results have been forwarded to the FDA, which will now make deci- sions about labeling. Global COPD, asthma devices market to exceed $41 million by 2022 PORTLAND, OR—A new report by Allied Market Research indicates the global chronic obstructive pul- monary disease (COPD) and asthma d e v i c e s m a r k e t i s e x p e c t e d t o reach more than $41 million by 2022, according to PR Newswire. Major factors driving the market include "increasing prevalence of res- piratory diseases such as COPD, asthma and emphysema; growing need for rescue medication during sudden asthmatic attack; and bur- geoning demand for short-term, effective medication; as well as devel- opment of advanced and portable inhalation devices." The report noted that "North America is expected to remain the highest revenue-generat- ing region, owing to widespread and early adoption of inhalers and nebu- lizers and a large pool of patients suf- fering from respiratory diseases. The COPD and asthma devices market in Europe is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly due to rising healthcare expenditures, growing awareness of advanced portable C O P D & a s t h m a d e v i c e s a n d increasing disposable income." BI's Stiolto® Respimat® (tiotropium bromide/ olodaterol) improved exercise capacity in COPD patients RIDGEFIELD, CT—PR News wire reports that Boehringer Ingel- heim has announced the first results from the Phase IIIb/IV PHYSACTO trial that showed Stiolto ® Respimat ® (tiotropium/olodaterol) combined with exercise training, helps people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) walk for longer peri- ods of time compared to those receiv- ing placebo. All trial participants were also enrolled in a self-management behavior modification program that provided health education. In partic- ipants with moderate-to-severe COPD, after eight weeks, exercise capacity significantly increased (by 45.8 percent, p<0.001) in those receiving Respimat combined with exercise training versus those receiv- ing placebo with no exercise training. Respimat also reduced shortness of breath (dyspnea) associated with p h y s i c a l a c t i v i t y c o m p a r e d t o placebo. Even without exercise train- ing, a significant improvement in exercise capacity was observed in the Respimat patients compared to those receiving placebo. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE NEWS Acetaminophen not associated with worse asthma in children C H I C A G O , I L — T h e A n n & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has reported results of the first study which provides rigorous evidence that acetaminophen is as safe as ibuprofen for children with mild, persistent asthma. Previous observational reports linked aceta- minophen with asthma exacerba- tions but clinical trials were lacking. Consequently, some physicians rec- ommended children with asthma completely avoid acetaminophen. The randomized, double-blind, 48- week study at 18 US sites included 300 children, age 1 to 5 years, with mild persistent asthma. Results did not show a higher risk of asthma worsening in children taking aceta- minophen compared to ibuprofen, even during periods of respiratory ill- ness. Additional research is needed in older children with asthma and those with more severe disease. Telemedicine can be as effective as in-person visits for children with asthma KANSAS CITY, MO—According to Healthcare Informatics, a new study reports that for children with asthma living in rural areas, telemedi- cine can be a viable alternative for treatment and management com- pared to traditional, in-person, physi- cian-based care. Researchers at Chil- dren's Mercy Hospital (CMH), in Kansas City, MO compared asthma outcomes during a six-month period in children managed by telemedicine versus in-person visits. The study included 169 children; 100 were seen in-person and 69 by telemedicine. Children in both groups were assessed initially, after 30 days and at six months, with 34 in-person and 40 telemedicine patients completing all three visits. All of those seen— whether in the clinic or by telemedi- cine—showed an improvement in asthma control over the six months. A telefacilitator performed diagnostic procedures such as spirometry and asthma education. The allergist could see and hear the patient in real-time. Asthma control was measured in both groups using validated clinical tools. Patient satisfaction was measured for the telemedicine group. High levels of satisfaction were found among the children and their parents regarding the long-distance care.