Figure 4
Time to first severe exacerbation by GINA treatment step at study entry.
BUD/FORM = budesonide/formoterol; ICS = inhaled corticosteroid; LABA = long-acting β2-agonist; SABA = short-acting β2-agonist
P-values refer to Cox model.
BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy vs. higher maintenance dose ICS + SABA, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): Step 2, 0.545 (0.341, 0.870); Step 3, 0.507 (0.401, 0.642); Step 4, 0.701 (0.546, 0.900). BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy vs. same maintenance dose ICS/LABA + SABA, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): Step 2, 0.467 (0.268, 0.814); Step 3, 0.516 (0.406, 0.656); Step 4, 0.561 (0.449, 0.700). BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy vs. higher maintenance dose ICS/LABA + SABA, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): Step 3, 0.726 (0.554, 0.950); Step 4, 0.773 (0.620, 0.965).