TY - JOUR T1 - Budesonide-formoterol for maintenance and as needed reliever treatment reduced asthma exacerbations JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 9 LP - 9 DO - 10.1136/ebm.12.1.9 VL - 12 IS - 1 A2 - , Y1 - 2007/02/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/12/1/9.abstract N2 - Rabe KF, Atienza T, Magyar P, et al. Effect of budesonide in combination with formoterol for reliever therapy in asthma exacerbations: a randomised controlled, double-blind study. Lancet 2006;368:744–53.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science 
 
 Q In patients with asthma receiving budesonide-formoterol (B-F) for maintenance treatment, how does B-F as needed reliever treatment compare with as needed formoterol and as needed terbutaline for reducing exacerbations? Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★★☆ Paediatrics ★★★★★★☆ Respirology ★★★★★☆☆ Design: randomised controlled trial. Allocation: concealed.* Blinding: blinded (patients and healthcare providers).* Follow up period: 12 months. Setting: 289 centres in 20 countries. Patients: 3394 patients ⩾12 years of age (mean age 42 y, 60% women) who had >1 severe asthma exacerbation in the past 12 months, had used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for ⩾3 months, and had an FEV1 of 50–100% of predicted normal with ⩾12% reversibility after inhalation of terbutaline, 1 mg. Exclusion criteria included respiratory infection affecting asthma and use of oral corticosteroids within 1 month of … ER -