A Safety and Efficacy Study of Beclomethasone Dipropionate Delivered Via Breath-Actuated Inhaler (BAI) or Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) in Participants >=12 Years Old With Persistent Asthma

Trough morning FEV1 measurements were taken pre-dose and pre-rescue bronchodilator treatment for asthma. The baseline pulmonary function measurement was defined as the measurement obtained at randomization visit (Day 1). Pulmonary function measurements (including FEV1) were obtained electronically by spirometry. All pulmonary function test data were submitted to a central reading center for evaluation. The highest FEV1 value from 3 acceptable and 2 repeatable maneuvers (maximum of 5 attempts) was used.

Baseline-adjusted FEV1 AUEC(0-12wk) were calculated using the trapezoidal rule.

The standardized baseline-adjusted FEV1 AUEC(0-12 wk) accommodates participants who dropped out of the study. Baseline-adjusted FEV1 AUEC(0-t weeks)/t, where t =12 weeks for patients who complete the FEV1 assessment at Week 12. For participants who dropped out early, t <12 weeks (2, 4, or 8 weeks).

A hand-held peak flow meter was provided to patients at the screening visit and used to determine the morning and evening PEF throughout the course of the study. Daily trough morning PEF assessments were taken pre-dose and pre-rescue bronchodilator over the 12-week treatment period. The patient recorded the highest value of 3 measurements obtained in the morning and evening in the patient diary.

Baseline in trough morning PEF is defined as the average of recorded trough morning PEF assessments over the 7-day window before randomization, including the morning assessment on Day 1 before randomization.

Weekly average PEF data was generated using 7-day windows based on analysis days (before the first dose of double-blind study treatment). PEF over the 12 week treatment period was performed using a mixed-model for repeated measures (MMRM) with effects due to baseline weekly average of daily trough morning PEF, sex, age, treatment, time, and time by treatment interaction.

A hand-held peak flow meter was provided to patients at the screening visit and used to determine the morning and evening PEF throughout the course of the study. The patient recorded the highest value of 3 measurements obtained in the morning and evening in the patient diary.

Baseline in evening PEF is defined as the average of recorded evening PEF assessments over the 7-day window before randomization.

Weekly average PEF data was generated using 7-day windows based on analysis days (after the first dose of double-blind study treatment). PEF over the 12 week treatment period was performed using a mixed-model for repeated measures (MMRM) with effects due to baseline weekly average of daily evening peak PEF, sex, age, treatment, time, and time by treatment interaction.

Change from baseline in the use of rescue medication, albuterol/salbutamol, during the treatment period offers an indication of asthma control. Baseline was defined as the average of recorded daily usage of albuterol/salbutamol inhalation aerosol over the 7 days prior to the first dose of double-blind study treatment, including the morning usage at the randomization visit.

Weekly average rescue medication data was generated using 7-day windows based on analysis days (after the first dose of double-blind study treatment). Weekly average over the 12 week treatment period was performed using a mixed-model for repeated measures (MMRM) with effects due to baseline value, sex, age, time, treatment, and time-by-treatment interaction.

Asthma symptom scores are recorded in the patient's diary each morning and each evening before determining PEF and before administration of study or rescue medications. The Daytime Symptom Score (determined in the evening) has a range from 0=No symptoms during the day to 5=Symptoms so severe that I could not go to work or perform normal daily activities. The Nighttime Symptom Score (determined in the morning) has a range from 0=No symptoms during the night to 4=Symptoms so severe that I did not sleep at all. The total daily asthma symptom score is the average of the daytime and the nighttime scores (full scale is 0 - 4.5). The total daily asthma symptom score is missing if either the daytime or nighttime score is missing. Baseline was the average of recorded daily asthma symptom scores over 7 days prior to the first dose of study treatment. The weekly average was the sum of total daily asthma symptom scores over the 7 days divided by the number of non-missing assessments.

Time to withdrawal due to meeting stopping criteria is defined as number of days elapsed from the date of the first dose of double-blind study treatment to the date of withdrawal due to meeting stopping criteria. Stopping criteria are:

• FEV1 as measured at the study center is below the FEV1 stability limit value calculated at RV.
• Based upon review of patient diary data, the patient has experienced any of the following during any 7-day period:
• 4+ days in which the highest (of 3 efforts) am PEF fall below the PEF stability limit calculated when randomized. The patient meets with the investigator who determines whether the FEV1 is consistent with worsening asthma;
• 3+ days in which 12+ inhalations/day of rescue medication were used
• 2+ days in which the patient experienced a nighttime asthma symptom score of more than 2
• Clinical asthma exacerbation requiring (for example) the use of systemic corticosteroids, or the emergency room or hospitalization.

A count of participants who were withdrawn from the study due to meeting stopping criteria. Alert criteria for individual patients with worsening asthma were designed to ensure patient safety. The investigator determined whether the patient's overall clinical picture is consistent with worsening asthma and if the patient should be withdrawn from study drug treatment (but not the study) and be placed on appropriate asthma therapy in the interest of patient safety.

An example of alert criteria is:

• FEV1 as measured at the study center is below the FEV1 stability limit value calculated at randomization visit (Day 1).
• Other criteria as defined in the protocol.