Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study

This study investigates the effects of switching to different devices of the same active substance or between different active substances, in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) plus Long-acting β2-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) in terms...

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Main Authors: Diego Sangiorgi, Valentina Perrone, Stefano Buda, Luca Degli Esposti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-01-01
Series:Cogent Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2017.1304873
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author Diego Sangiorgi
Valentina Perrone
Stefano Buda
Luca Degli Esposti
author_facet Diego Sangiorgi
Valentina Perrone
Stefano Buda
Luca Degli Esposti
author_sort Diego Sangiorgi
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the effects of switching to different devices of the same active substance or between different active substances, in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) plus Long-acting β2-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) in terms of incidence of exacerbations. A retrospective cohort analysis, based on administrative databases of 3 Italian Local Health Units, was conducted. Patients with at least one prescription of a fixed dose combination of ICS/LABA from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 were included. The index-date was defined as the earliest date within the inclusion period in which the patient had the first switch of drug or device (switchers) or the first prescription of ICS/LABA for patients continuing with the same treatment (non-switchers). Patients were observed until 31 December 2012. Propensity score matching was performed to check for cofounding effects. COPD exacerbations were defined as COPD-related hospitalization and prescription of corticosteroids and antibiotics. Number of: hospitalizations for COPD, oral corticosteroids and antibiotics prescriptions were analyzed using Poisson regression models. After matching, 1,759 patients per arm were analyzed. No statistically significant difference was found between study groups’. Incidence Rate Ratio in favor of non-switcher patients, as compared to switcher patients, was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.10–1.80) for number of hospitalizations, 1.05 (95% CI: 1.11–1.09) and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.96–1.09) for number of oral corticosteroids and antibiotics prescriptions, respectively. Our findings showed that switching to different devices of the same active substance or among different active substances in COPD patients treated with a fixed dose combination of ICS/LABA can lead to an higher likelihood of exacerbation COPD related rates than those who did not switch. Considering the study’s limitations, further studies are needed in order to confirm and enhance the generalizability of our findings.
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spelling doaj.art-f89d89cf49a04b74a3ed430fa6c6c3ac2022-12-22T03:24:39ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Medicine2331-205X2017-01-014110.1080/2331205X.2017.13048731304873Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” studyDiego Sangiorgi0Valentina Perrone1Stefano Buda2Luca Degli Esposti3CliCon S.r.l. Health, Economics & Outcomes ResearchCliCon S.r.l. Health, Economics & Outcomes ResearchCliCon S.r.l. Health, Economics & Outcomes ResearchCliCon S.r.l. Health, Economics & Outcomes ResearchThis study investigates the effects of switching to different devices of the same active substance or between different active substances, in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) plus Long-acting β2-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) in terms of incidence of exacerbations. A retrospective cohort analysis, based on administrative databases of 3 Italian Local Health Units, was conducted. Patients with at least one prescription of a fixed dose combination of ICS/LABA from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 were included. The index-date was defined as the earliest date within the inclusion period in which the patient had the first switch of drug or device (switchers) or the first prescription of ICS/LABA for patients continuing with the same treatment (non-switchers). Patients were observed until 31 December 2012. Propensity score matching was performed to check for cofounding effects. COPD exacerbations were defined as COPD-related hospitalization and prescription of corticosteroids and antibiotics. Number of: hospitalizations for COPD, oral corticosteroids and antibiotics prescriptions were analyzed using Poisson regression models. After matching, 1,759 patients per arm were analyzed. No statistically significant difference was found between study groups’. Incidence Rate Ratio in favor of non-switcher patients, as compared to switcher patients, was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.10–1.80) for number of hospitalizations, 1.05 (95% CI: 1.11–1.09) and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.96–1.09) for number of oral corticosteroids and antibiotics prescriptions, respectively. Our findings showed that switching to different devices of the same active substance or among different active substances in COPD patients treated with a fixed dose combination of ICS/LABA can lead to an higher likelihood of exacerbation COPD related rates than those who did not switch. Considering the study’s limitations, further studies are needed in order to confirm and enhance the generalizability of our findings.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2017.1304873chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseexacerbationsinhaled corticosteroidslong-acting β2-agonistswitching therapy
spellingShingle Diego Sangiorgi
Valentina Perrone
Stefano Buda
Luca Degli Esposti
Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study
Cogent Medicine
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
exacerbations
inhaled corticosteroids
long-acting β2-agonist
switching therapy
title Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study
title_full Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study
title_fullStr Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study
title_full_unstemmed Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study
title_short Exacerbations in COPD patients treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids/Long-acting β2 agonists combinations, switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device: A “real – world” study
title_sort exacerbations in copd patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids long acting β2 agonists combinations switching to another combination drugs or inhaler device a real world study
topic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
exacerbations
inhaled corticosteroids
long-acting β2-agonist
switching therapy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331205X.2017.1304873
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