Characteristics of new users of single and multiple-inhaler triple therapy for COPD in primary care in England

Abstract

Introduction: Current Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines recommend triple therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who continue to exacerbate or who remain breathless despite maintenance therapy. The characteristics of patients who are new users of single-inhaler triple therapy (SITT) are unknown. This study assesses the characteristics of the new users of SITT or multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT) in patients with COPD in primary care in England. Methods: A retrospective cohort of COPD patients aged ≥35 years without prior triple therapy and newly prescribed SITT (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol [FF/UMEC/VI]) or MITT (ICS/LAMA/LABA via two or three devices) from Nov 2017–Nov 2018 were identified from the UK Clinical Practice Research Database linked to Hospital Episode Statistics. Patient characteristics prior to the initiation of SITT/MITT were summarised. Results: A total of 5838 patients receiving triple therapy for the first time were included. Patient characteristics are presented in Table 1. Conclusions: In a real world primary care setting, triple therapy for COPD was frequently used after maintenance therapy in patients with a recent exacerbation or a high level of dyspnoea. This suggests that triple therapy is initiated in COPD patients whose disease is not adequately controlled. Method: GlaxoSmithKline plc. 213325