Evaluation of 3–5 months’ add-on therapy with montelukast in patients with non-controlled asthma in Austria: the STAR open-label, real-world, observational study

AbstractObjective:To assess the current state of asthma management in Austria and evaluate improvement of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in asthma patients by adding the controller substance montelukast to existing therapy.Research design and methods:Office-based pneumologists across Austria were invited to participate in an open-label, multicenter observational study. Male and female patients aged from 12–50 years with mild or moderate persistent asthma according to GINA guidelines and FEV1 > 70% predicted were included if they were on concurrent asthma treatment, but still had persistent symptoms and reduced quality of life. Asthma control was assessed at time of patient anamnesis and subsequent follow-up visits. In addition, a physical examination was performed, lung function (FEV1) was measured and two types of validated QoL questionnaires were used: the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire was evaluated and documented by the physicians at each study visit and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionna...