Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis with inhaled fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (ADVAIR DISKUS) 250/50: results of a patient experience trial.

CONTEXT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as a major healthcare problem in the United States and around the world.

OBJECTIVE

This survey regarding initial experience in patients with COPD collected feedback about newly initiated therapy with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FSC; ADVAIR DISKUS).

DESIGN

Three telephone surveys were conducted; Survey 1 prior to initiating therapy with FSC 250/50, and Surveys 2 and 3 at 2 weeks and 30 days after initiating therapy with FSC 250/50, respectively.

SETTING

One thousand primary care physicians recruited outpatients into the trial.

PATIENTS

Patients were either newly diagnosed with COPD associated with chronic bronchitis or were still experiencing breathing difficulties on an anticholinergic medication.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients initiated FSC 250/50 and received a 1-month supply of FSC 250/50 with an albuterol inhaler for rescue use.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcome measures were patient perceptions of satisfaction, compliance, and convenience and changes in breathing on 1 (negative) to 9 (positive) point scales.

RESULTS

Five hundred sixteen patients completed all 3 surveys. The mean age was 61 years, 63% were female, and 62% had been diagnosed with COPD associated with chronic bronchitis for 3 years or less (Table 1).

CONCLUSION

Patients reported high satisfaction, compliance, and convenience with FSC 250/50 within 2 weeks of initiating therapy, all maintained over the trial period. Additionally, patients had positive changes in breathing, including improvements in the ability to breathe upon awakening in the morning.