Aclidinium bromide improves the quality of life for COPD patients

Methodology and course of the study

This multicenter prospective observational study was conducted from March 2015 to January 2016 with 15 Greek hospital specialists in respiratory diseases. A total of 285 patients over 40 years old with COPD, who were newly prescribed aclidinium bromide, were included. This long-acting cholinergic antagonist (LAMA) could be administered either as monotherapy or in combination with other preparations according to SPC. Patients with both long-standing and newly diagnosed COPD could be included.

Quality of life (using the COPD Assessment Test [CAT], self-administered by the patient) and the severity of nocturnal and early morning symptoms according to patient assessment and their impact on daily activities (using a 5-point Likert scale) were evaluated. Patients also rated the properties of the Genuair inhaler on a 4-point Likert scale. Each assessment was carried out at the study entry and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

The average age of the included patients was 69 years, 76% were men, and 26% were newly diagnosed with COPD. In 73% of participants, aclidinium bromide was added to maintenance inhalation therapy. The median baseline CAT score was 14 points and decreased to 10 points after 12 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001). A reduction of at least 2 points was achieved by 76.5% of those treated.

The value indicating the severity of nocturnal symptoms decreased from a median of 1.0 to 0.0 (p < 0.001) and the severity rating of early morning symptoms from 2.0 to 1.0 (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with nocturnal symptoms of at least moderate severity decreased from 28.2% to 19.1%, the proportion with early morning symptoms of at least moderate severity from 63.6% to 34.2%, and the proportion of patients with the impact of these symptoms on daily activities from 59.5% to 38.7% (all comparisons p < 0.001).

More than 90% of patients rated the Genuair inhaler as very good or good.

Adverse events occurred in 14% of patients.

Conclusion

This observational study conducted in real practice conditions demonstrated that 3-month treatment of COPD with aclidinium bromide leads to a significant improvement in quality of life according to patient evaluations, reduces the burden of nocturnal and early morning symptoms of this disease, and their impact on patients' daily activities. Additionally, it shows a good safety profile and is associated with high patient satisfaction. These findings are consistent with the results of controlled randomized studies.

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Source: Kostikas K., Vassilakopoulos T. I., Tzanakis N. et al. A real-world observational study examining the impact of aclidinium bromide therapy on the quality of life, symptoms, and activity impairment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the Greek ON-AIR study. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2020 Mar 6; 15: 515–526, doi: 10.2147/COPD.S239044.