RESULTS	However , a difference was seen between the two groups in the mean daily number of beta 2 agonist inhalations ( 1.4 ( 0.1 ) puffs/patient/day in group A v 2.3 ( 0.1 ) in group B ) , the PEF variability ( episodes of decrease in PEF of > 20 % ) ( 0.22 ( 0.01 ) episodes/patient/day in group A v 0.40 ( 0.02 ) in group B ) , and for asthma symptom scores ( 0.30 ( 0.04 ) in group A v 0.42 ( 0.06 ) in group B ) for the 12 month period of the study .\