A recent study by the University of Manchester has revealed that adjusting the timing of a preventer inhaler could significantly improve asthma symptoms. The study, published in the journal Thorax, emphasizes the importance of aligning asthma treatment with a person’s circadian rhythms. Researchers observed 21 asthma patients and directed them to modify their medication intake at different times of the day.
The findings suggested that taking a preventer inhaler between 3pm and 4pm led to improved asthma control, particularly enhancing night-time lung function and showcasing better blood eosinophil counts, a crucial marker for airway inflammation. Despite all treatment patterns displaying some level of improvement, the mid-afternoon dosing of inhaled beclomethasone stood out in terms of clinical outcomes, without elevating steroid-related adverse effects or costs.
Dr. Hannah Durrington, the study lead, stressed the significance of the research in addressing nighttime symptoms and potentially reducing fatal asthma attacks. She called for further validation through larger clinical trials to assess the real-world clinical feasibility and the associated health and economic impacts.
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The implications of this study were echoed by Dr. Erika Kennington of Asthma and Lung UK, emphasizing the remarkable impact that adjusting the timing of inhaler doses can have on patients’ wellbeing and, ultimately, their lives.