Three-year dispensing patterns with long-acting inhaled drugs in COPD: A database analysis

SummaryBackgroundLong-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and fixed dose combinations (FDC) of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and LABA are used as inhaled maintenance therapies for COPD.ObjectiveTo estimate persistence rates from dispensing patterns of long-acting inhaled drugs for COPD.MethodsFrom the PHARMO-database, COPD patients starting LAMA, LABA or LABA-ICS FDC between 2002 and 2006 were selected. Persistence with the initial as well as with any long-acting inhaled drug was determined, defined as time between start and stop of initial/any therapy, allowing ≤60-days gaps between refills. For patients who did not continue to receive dispensings of the initial therapy for at least one year, the first change in therapy was determined.ResultsThe study included 2201 LAMA, 1201 LABA and 4146 LABA-ICS FDC users. Persistence rates with initial therapy alone at 1, 2, and 3 years were 25%, 14%, 8% for LAMA, 21%, 10%, 6% for LABA and 27%, 14%, 8% for LABA-ICS FDC. Of patients who did not persist with LAMA alone for one year, 15% added and 13% switched therapy (both mostly LABA-ICS FDC). Of patients not persisting with LABA alone, 9% added therapy (mostly LAMA) and 31% switched therapy (mostly to LABA-ICS FDC). In patients not persisting with LABA-ICS FDC, add-on and switch occurred equally frequent (11%, mostly LAMA). Persistence rates with any long-acting drug at 1, 2 and 3 years were 36%, 23% and 17% respectively.ConclusionPersistence with the initial as well as with any long-acting inhaled drug in COPD is low, with a substantial proportion of patients changing therapy.