Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: SAS115359, a Safety and Efficacy Study of Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Combination Versus Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate in the Treatment of Adolescent and Adult Subjects With Asthma
Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess whether the risk of serious asthma-related events (asthma-related hospitalizations, endotracheal intubations, and deaths) in adolescents and adults (12 years of age and older) taking inhaled fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination is the same as those taking inhaled fluticasone propionate alone.

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Options:
A: Inclusion criteria:

1. All patients must sign and date an Informed Consent Form consistent with International Conference on Harmonisation - Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines and local legislation prior to participation in the trial (i.e. prior to any trial procedures, including any pre-trial washout of medications and medication restrictions for pulmonary function test at Visit 1).
2. Male or female patients aged at least 18 years but not more than 75 years.
3. All patients must have at least a 3 month history of asthma at the time of enrolment into the trial. The diagnosis should be confirmed at Visit 1 by fulfilling inclusion criterion 5.
4. The initial diagnosis of asthma must have been made before the patient's age of 40.
5. The diagnosis of asthma has to be confirmed at Visit 1 with a bronchodilator reversibility (15 minutes after 400 mcg salbutamol (albuterol)) resulting in a Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) increase of at least 12% and at least 200mL.
6. All patients must have been on maintenance treatment with a medium, stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids for at least for 4 weeks prior to Visit 1.
7. All patients must be symptomatic at Visit 1 (screening) and prior to randomisation at Visit 2 as defined by an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) mean score of at least 1.5.
8. All patients must have a pre-bronchodilator FEV1 at least 60% and less than or equal to 90% of predicted normal at Visit 1.
9. Variation of absolute FEV1 values of Visit 1 (pre-bronchodilator) as compared to Visit 2 (pre-dose) must be within ± 30%.
10. Patients must be never-smokers or ex-smokers who stopped smoking at least one year prior to enrolment (Visit 0) and who have a smoking history of less than 10 pack years.
11. Patients must be able to use the Respimat® inhaler and metered dose inhaler correctly.
12. Patients must be able to perform all trial related procedures including technically acceptable pulmonary function tests and use of electronic diary/peak flow meter.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Patients with a significant disease other than asthma. A significant disease is defined as a disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, may (i) put the patient at risk because of participation in the trial, or (ii) influence the results of the trial, or (iii) cause concern regarding the patient's ability to participate in the trial.
2. Patients with a clinically relevant abnormal screening (Visit 1) haematology or blood chemistry if the abnormality defines a significant disease as defined in exclusion criterion 1.
3. Patients with a recent history (i.e. six months or less) of myocardial infarction.
4. Patients who have been hospitalised for cardiac failure during the past year.
5. Patients with any unstable or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring intervention or a change in drug therapy within the past year.
6. Patients with lung diseases other than asthma (e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)).
7. Patients with known active tuberculosis.
8. Patients with malignancy for which the patient has undergone resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy within the last five years. Patients with treated basal cell carcinoma are allowed.
9. Patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection. Patients with a history of thoracotomy for other reasons should be evaluated as per exclusion criterion no. 1.
10. Patients with significant alcohol or drug abuse within the past two years.
11. Patients who are currently in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or have completed a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the 6 weeks prior to Visit 1 (screening).
12. Patients with known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs, benzalkonium chloride (BAC), ethylenediamineteraacetic acid (EDTA), salmeterol xinafoate or any other components of the study medication delivery systems.
13. Pregnant or nursing woman.
14. Women of childbearing potential not using a highly effective method of birth control.
15. Patients who have taken an investigational drug within four weeks prior to Visit 1.
16. Patients who have been treated with beta-blocker medication within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period. Topical cardio-selective beta-blocker eye medications for non-narrow angle glaucoma are allowed.
17. Patients who have been treated with the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium (Spiriva®) within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
18. Patients who have been treated with oral or patch beta-adrenergics within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the Screening period.
19. Patients who have been treated with oral corticosteroids within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
20. Patients who have been treated with anti-IgE antibodies, e.g. omalizumab (Xolair®), within 6 months prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
21. Patients who have been treated with cromone within two weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
22. Patients who have been treated with methylxanthines or phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors within two weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
23. Patients who have been treated with other non-approved and according to international guidelines not recommended "experimental" drugs for routine asthma therapy within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
24. Patients with any asthma exacerbation or any respiratory tract infection iin the four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
25. Patients who have previously been randomised in this trial or in the respective twin trial (205.419) or are currently participating in another trial.
B: INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects eligible for enrolment in the study must meet all of the following criteria:

* Type of Subject: Outpatient
* Age: 12 years of age or older at Visit 1. For sites in the following countries, subjects recruited will be ≥18 years of age: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Turkey and any other countries where local regulations or the regulatory status of study medication permit enrolment of adults only.
* Gender: Male or Eligible Female
* To be eligible for entry into the study, females of childbearing potential must commit to consistent and correct use of an acceptable method of birth control, as defined by the following:
* Male partner who is sterile prior to the female subject's entry into the study and is the sole sexual partner for that female subject
* Implants of levonorgestrel
* Injectable progestogen
* Oral contraceptive (either combined estrogen/progestin or progestin only)
* Any intrauterine device (IUD) with a documented failure rate of less than 1% per year.
* Females of childbearing potential who are not sexually active must commit to complete abstinence from intercourse throughout the clinical trial and for a period after the trial to account for elimination of the drug (minimum of six days).
* Double barrier method - spermicide plus a mechanical barrier (e.g., spermicide plus a male condom or a spermicide and female diaphragm).
* NB: For German sites, female subjects must use a method of birth control other than the double barrier method.
* The contraceptive transdermal patch, Ortho Evra (if the subject is less than 198 pounds)
* Female subjects should not be enrolled if they are pregnant, lactating or plan to become pregnant during the time of study participation. A serum pregnancy test is required of all females. This test will be performed at the initial screening visit (Visit 1) and Visit 8. In addition, a urine pregnancy test will be performed on the evening of the double-blind treatment visit, prior to randomization (Visit 3) and at Visits 4 through 7.
* Asthma Diagnosis: Asthma as defined by the National Institutes of Health \[National Institutes of Health, 2007\].
* Severity of Disease: A best FEV1 of 40%-90% of the predicted normal value during Visit 1. NHANES III predicted values will be used for subjects aged ≥ 12 years and adjustments to predicted values will be made for African American subjects. \[Hankinson, 1999\].
* Reversibility of Disease: Demonstrated a ≥ 12% and ≥200mL reversibility of FEV1 within approximately 30-minutes following 4 inhalations of albuterol/salbutamol inhalation aerosol (if required, spacers are permitted for reversibility testing only) or one nebulized albuterol/salbutamol solution at the Screening Visit. If a subject fails to demonstrate an increase in FEV1 ≥12% and ≥200mL, then the subject is not eligible for the study and will not be allowed to re-screen.
* Current Anti-Asthma Therapy: Subjects must have been using a inhaled corticosteroid for at least 8 weeks prior to Visit 1 and maintained on a stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids for four weeks prior to Visit 1 at one of the following doses: \[fluticasone propionate MDI CFC/HFA \>220mcg exactuator or ≤250mcg ex valve\]; \[fluticasone propionate DPI ≤200mcg\]; \[beclomethasone dipropionate DPI ≤ 420mcg exactuator or ≤ 500mcg ex-valve\]; \[beclomethasone dipropionate HFA (Qvar) ≤ 160mcg exactuator or ≤ 200mcg ex-valve\]; \[budesonide DPI MDI ≤400mcg\]; \[flunisolide ≤ 1000mcg\]; \[triamcinolone acetonide ≤1000mcg\]; \[mometasone furoate DPI \>200mcg or ≤ 220mcg\]; \[ciclesonide MDI HFA ≤ 160mcg ex-actuator dose / ≤ 200mcg ex-valve dose\].
* Short- Acting Beta2-Agonists: All subjects must be able to replace their current short-acting beta2-agonists with albuterol/salbutamol inhalation aerosol at Visit 1 for use as needed for the duration of the study. The use of spacer devices with metered dose inhaler (MDI) or nebulized albuterol/salbutamol will not be allowed during the study with the exception of their use during reversibility testing at Visit 1. Subjects must be able to withhold all inhaled short-acting beta sympathomimetic bronchodilators for at least 6 hours prior to all study visits.
* Informed Consent: All subjects must be able and willing to give written informed consent to take part in the study.
* Compliance: Subjects must be able to comply with completion of the Daily Diary (includes paper medical conditions diary).
* French subjects: In France, a subject will be eligible for inclusion in this study only if either affiliated to or a beneficiary of a social security category.

Inclusion Criteria for Randomization

At the end of the run-in period, a subject will be eligible to enter the treatment period of the study if he/she meets the following criteria at Visit 3:

1. Evening pre-dose percent predicted FEV1 of between 40% and 90% of their predicted normal.
2. Any combination of the daily asthma symptom scores (day-time plus night-time) of ≥1 or albuterol/salbutamol use on at least 4 of the last 7 consecutive days of the run-in period (immediately preceding Visit 3).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* History of Life-threatening asthma: Defined for this protocol as an asthma episode that required intubation and/or was associated with hypercapnia, respiratory arrest or hypoxic seizures.
* Respiratory Infection: Culture-documented or suspected bacterial or viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract, sinus or middle ear that is not resolved within 4 weeks of Visit 1 and led to a change in asthma management, or in the opinion of the Investigator is expected to affect the subjects asthma status or the subjects ability to participate in the study.
* Asthma Exacerbation: Any asthma exacerbation requiring oral corticosteroids within 3 months of Visit 1. A subject must not have had any hospitalization for asthma within 6 months prior to Visit 1.
* Concurrent Diseases/Abnormalities: Historical or current evidence of clinically significant uncontrolled disease including, but not limited to: cardiovascular disease, hepatic disease, renal disease, hematological disease, neurological disease, or pulmonary disease (including, but not confined to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis with the need of treatment, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Significant is defined as any disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study. The list of additional excluded conditions/diseases includes, but is not limited to the following: congestive heart failure, clinically significant coronary artery disease, stroke within 3 months of Visit 1, poorly controlled peptic ulcer, immunologic compromise, tuberculosis (current or untreated), Addison's disease, uncontrolled thyroid disorder, known aortic aneurysm, clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, hematological, hepatic, or renal disease, current malignancy, cushings disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, recent history of drug or alcohol abuse.
* Oropharyngeal Examination: A subject will not be eligible for the run-in if he/she has clinical visual evidence of oral candidiasis at Visit 1.
* Investigational Medications: A subject must not have participated in a study or used any investigational drug within 30 days prior to Visit 1.
* Drug Allergy: Any adverse reaction including immediate or delayed hypersensitivity to any beta2-agonist, sympathomimetic drug, or any intranasal, inhaled, or systemic corticosteroid therapy. Known or suspected sensitivity to the constituents of the novel dry powder inhaler or DISKUS/ACCUHALER (i.e., lactose or magnesium stearate).
* Milk Protein Allergy: History of severe milk protein allergy.
* Immunosuppressive Medications: A subject must not be using, or require use, of immunosuppressive medications during the study.

NOTE: Immunotherapy for the treatment of allergies is allowed during the study provided that the treatment was initiated prior to Visit 1 and the subject is maintained on a stable regimen throughout the study period.

* Attendance: A subject will not be eligible if he/she or his/her parent or legal guardian has any infirmity, disability, or geographical location which seems likely (in the opinion of the Investigator) to impair compliance with any aspect of this study protocol or scheduled visits to the study center and non-compliant with study medication or procedures (e.g. completion of daily diary). Neurological or psychiatric disease or history of drug or alcohol abuse which in the opinion of the investigator could interfere with the subject's proper completion of the protocol requirements excludes study participation.
* Tobacco Use : Current smoker or a smoking history of 10 pack years or more (e.g. 20 cigarettes/day for 10 years). A subject may not have used tobacco products within the past one year (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco).
* Affiliation with Investigator's Site: A subject will not be eligible for this study if he/she is an immediate family member of the participating Investigator, sub-Investigator, study coordinator, or employee of the participating Investigator.
* Corticosteroid Use: Administration of systemic, oral or depot corticosteroids within 12 weeks of Visit 1.
* Potent Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors: Patients who are receiving potent CYP3A4 inhibitors within 4 weeks of Visit 1 (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole).

Exclusion Criteria for Randomization At the end of the run-in period, a subject will not be eligible to enter the treatment period of the study if they meet any of the following criteria.

1. Clinical Laboratory Abnormalities: Clinically significant abnormal laboratory tests during Visit 1 which are still abnormal upon repeat analysis and are not believed to be due to disease(s) present. Each Investigator will use his/her own discretion in determining the clinical significance of the abnormality. When in doubt, GlaxoSmithKline, or designee, should be notified so that a joint decision can be made.
2. Changes in asthma medication (excluding albuterol/salbutamol inhalation aerosol provided at Visit 1).
3. Occurrence of a culture-documented or suspected bacterial or viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract, sinus or middle ear during the run-in period that led to a change in asthma management, or in the opinion of the Investigator is expected to affect the subjects asthma status or the subjects ability to participate in the study.
4. Asthma exacerbation, defined as any worsening of asthma requiring any treatment other than rescue albuterol/salbutamol or regular inhaled corticosteroid use. This includes requiring the use of systemic corticosteroids and / or emergency room visit or hospitalization or a change in subject's regular inhaled corticosteroid dose.
5. A subject will not be eligible for randomization if he/she has an abnormal visual oropharyngeal exam at the randomization Visit 3 (visual clinical evidence of oral candidiasis).
6. Non-compliance with completion of the Daily Diary, defined as: -Completion of AM and PM symptom scores on less than 4 days out of the last 7 days immediately preceding Visit 3.

   * Completion of AM and PM rescue use on less than 4 days out of the last 7 days immediately preceding Visit 3.
   * Completion of AM and PM PEF measurements on less than 4 days out of the last 7 days immediately preceding Visit 3.
   * Recording run-in asthma medication use on less than 4 days out of the last 7 days immediately preceding Visit 3.
C: Inclusion criteria:

* History of asthma for at least 6 months.
* Taking a low-dose of an inhaled corticosteroid for at least one month prior to the study (such as fluticasone propionate or budesonide).

Exclusion criteria:

* History of life-threatening asthma.
* Hospitalized for asthma within 3 months prior to the study.
* Current respiratory tract infection.
* Will not be able to attend clinic visits for the entire length of the study.
* Certain medical conditions that will make being in the study unsafe (such as congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, tuberculosis or certain drug allergies).
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Provided consent to participate in the study
* Male or female, 12 years of age and older
* Clinical diagnosis of asthma for at least 1 year prior to the randomization
* Clinic PEF of greater than or equal to 50% of predicted normal value
* Subject must be appropriately using one of the treatments for asthma listed in the protocol
* Subject must be able to complete the asthma control questionnaire, daily questions about asthma, and use a DISKUS inhaler
* Subject must have history of at least 1 asthma exacerbation including one of the following in the year prior to randomization:
* requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids
* an asthma-related hospitalization

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of life threatening asthma defined for this protocol as asthma episode that required intubation and/or was associated with hypercapnea requiring non-invasive ventilatory support
* Concurrent respiratory disease other than asthma
* Current evidence of, or ever been told by a physician that they have chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
* Exercise induced asthma (as the only asthma-related diagnosis) not requiring daily asthma control medicine
* Presence of a bacterial or viral respiratory infection that is not resolved at randomization
* An asthma exacerbation requiring systemic corticosteriods within 4 weeks of randomization or more than 4 separate exacerbations in the 12 months preceding randomization
* More than 2 hospitalizations for treatment of asthma in the 12 months preceding randomization
* Subject must not meet unstable asthma severity criteria as listed in the protocol
* Potent cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors within the last 4 weeks (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconzole)
* Pregnancy, breast-feeding or planned pregnancy during the study
* A Child in Care (CiC) is a child who has been placed under the control or protection of an agency, organisation, institution or entity by the courts, the government or a government body, acting in accordance with powers conferred on them by law or regulation.

Answer: D