Budesonide (BUD) plus formoterol (FORM) for both maintenance and symptom relief (BUDFORM for all) v fixed dosing using BUDFORM or a 4 fold higher dose of BUD, both with a short acting β2 agonist (SABA) in asthma*

Outcome at 1 yearComparisonsEvent ratesRRR (95% CI)NNT (CI)
*Abbreviations defined in glossary; RRR, NNT, and CI calculated from Cox proportional hazard ratios in article.
⩾1 severe asthma exacerbationBUDFORM for all v BUDFORM plus SABA16% v 27%41% (30 to 52)10 (8 to 13)
BUDFORM for all v BUD plus SABA16% v 28%43% (31 to 53)9 (7 to 12)