Long-acting B-2 agonists (LABA) or long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA): which one may be the first option in group A COPD patients?

INTRODUCTION

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or beta-2 agonists (LABA) have been recommended for symptom control in group A COPD patients as a first-line bronchodilator treatment in GOLD guidelines. However, there is no mention of priority/superiority between the two treatment options. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of these treatments in this group.

METHODS

The study cohort was formed of all subjects from six pulmonology clinics with an initial diagnosis of COPD who were new users of a LAMA or LABA from January 2020 to December 2021. Seventy-six group A COPD patients, in whom LABA or LAMA therapy had been started in the last 1 month as a first-line treatment, were included in our study. Participants were evaluated with spirometry, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), mMRC scale, and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for three times (baseline, 6-12 months).

RESULTS

There were 76 group A COPD patients with LAMA (67.1%) and LABA (32.9%). The number of patients who improved in CAT score at the end of the first year was significantly higher in patients using LAMA than those using LABA (p = 0.022); the improvement at minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in CAT score of LAMA group at 1 year was also significant (p = 0.044). SGRQ total and impact scores were found to be statistically lower at 1 year compared to baseline in patients using LAMA (p = 0.010 and 0.006, respectively). Significant improvement was detected in CAT and SGRQ scores at the 6 month visit in the LAMA group having emphysema (p = 0.032 and 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSION

According to significant improvements in CAT and SGRQ score, LAMA may be preferred over LABA as a bronchodilator agent in group A COPD patients, especially in emphysema-dominant phenotype.