Study shows anti-inflammatory inhalers lower risk of severe asthma complications

A new study published in JAMA confirms that anti-inflammatory inhalers, specifically those combining inhaled corticosteroids with bronchodilators, significantly reduce the risk of severe asthma complications. This marks a shift from reliance on traditional bronchodilator treatments alone. The research analyzed 27 clinical trials involving over 50,000 asthma patients. It found that both ICS-formoterol and ICS-SABA inhalers provided modest improvements in symptom control compared to bronchodilator-only options, although these improvements may be clinically insignificant. Safety assessments showed no significant increase in adverse events among the inhaler groups. The study highlights the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatments in managing asthma, providing clearer guidance on their benefits over previous reliever options.