Effect of Erdosteine on COPD Exacerbations in COPD Patients with Moderate Airflow Limitation.

Background: The RESTORE study, a multi-national randomized, placebo-controlled study, showed that erdosteine - a muco-active antioxidant that modulates bacterial adhesiveness - reduced the rate and duration of exacerbations in moderate and severe COPD with a history of exacerbations. How much benefit patients with less severe disease experience when taking this drug remains unclear. Methods: This post hoc analysis of the 254 RESTORE participants with spirometrically-defined moderate COPD (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] 50‒79% predicted) examined exacerbation rate and duration, time to first exacerbation, and exacerbation-free time. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparisons between treatment groups used Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, or log rank tests. Results: Patients with moderate COPD received erdosteine 300 mg twice daily (n=126) or placebo (n=128) added to usual COPD therapy for 12 months. During this time, there were 53 exacerbations in the erdosteine group and 74 in the placebo group, with 42.1% and 57.8% of patients, respectively, experiencing an exacerbation. There was a 47% reduction in the mean exacerbation rate with erdosteine compared to placebo (0.27 vs 0.51 exacerbations per-patient per-year, respectively, P=0.003), and a 58.3% reduction in the mild exacerbation rate (0.23 vs 0.53 mild exacerbations per-patient per-year, P=0.001). Mean duration of exacerbations was 26% shorter in erdosteine-treated patients (9.1 vs 12.3 days for placebo, P=0.022), with significant reductions in the duration of mild and moderate-to-severe exacerbations. Mean time to first exacerbation was prolonged by 7.7% (182 days for erdosteine vs 169 days for placebo, P<0.001) and the mean exacerbation-free time was increased by 51 days (279 days for erdosteine vs 228 days for placebo; P<0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate that adding erdosteine to usual COPD maintenance therapy reduces the number of mild, and duration of all, exacerbations in patients with moderate COPD and a history of exacerbations.

Treatment of exacerbations as a predictor of subsequent outcomes in patients with COPD.

RATIONALE: Exacerbations of COPD are managed differently, but whether treatment of one exacerbation predicts the likelihood of subsequent events is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether the treatment given for exacerbations predicted subsequent outcomes. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of 17,135 patients with COPD from TIOtropium Safety and Performance In Respimat® (TIOSPIR®). Patients treated with tiotropium with one or more moderate to severe exacerbations on study were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic and Cox regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS: Of 8,061 patients with moderate to severe exacerbation(s), demographics were similar across patients with exacerbations treated with antibiotics and/or steroids or hospitalization. Exacerbations treated with systemic corticosteroids alone or in combination with antibiotics had the highest risk of subsequent exacerbation (HR: 1.21, P=0.0004 and HR: 1.33, P<0.0001, respectively), and a greater risk of having a hospitalized (severe) exacerbation (HR: 1.59 and 1.63, P<0.0001, respectively) or death (HR: 1.50, P=0.0059 and HR: 1.47, P=0.0002, respectively) compared with exacerbations treated with antibiotics alone. Initial hospitalization led to the highest risk of subsequent hospitalization (all-cause or COPD related [severe exacerbation], HR: 3.35 and 4.31, P<0.0001, respectively) or death (all-cause or COPD related, HR: 3.53 and 5.54, P<0.0001, respectively) versus antibiotics alone. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that the way exacerbations are treated initially is a useful guide to the patient's subsequent clinical course. Factors that clinicians consider when making treatment choices require further clarification.

Use of a 4-week up-titration regimen of roflumilast in patients with severe COPD.

Background: The oral selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor roflumilast (ROF) reduces exacerbations in patients with severe COPD. Adverse events (AEs) can cause early ROF discontinuation. Alternative dosing strategies may help patients continue their therapy. Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind trial, 1,321 patients with severe COPD were randomized 1:1:1 to 4 weeks' treatment with ROF 250 µg once daily (OD), 500 µg every other day (EOD), or 500 µg OD, each followed by ROF 500 µg OD for 8 weeks, plus standard therapy. The primary end point was the percentage of patients prematurely discontinuing study treatment. Results: Patients in the 250 µg OD/500 µg OD group had significantly fewer treatment discontinuations (odds ratio [OR] 0.66 [95% CI 0.47-0.93], p=0.017) and lower rates of AEs of interest such as diarrhea, nausea, headache, decreased appetite, insomnia and abdominal pain (OR 0.63 [95% CI 0.47-0.83], p=0.001) compared with those in the 500 µg OD group. Although rates of discontinuation and AEs of interest were numerically lower with ROF 500 µg EOD/500 µg OD, the difference was not significant (OR 0.76, p=0.114, and OR 0.78, p=0.091, respectively) compared with ROF 500 µg OD. Conclusion: A dose of ROF 250 µg OD for 4 weeks before escalation to the approved maintenance dose of 500 µg OD resulted in reduced treatment discontinuation and improved tolerability.

Seasonal variations in exacerbations and deaths in patients with COPD during the TIOSPIR® trial.

Background: Although COPD exacerbations are known to occur more frequently in winter, there is little information on hospitalizations and cause-specific mortality. This study aimed to examine seasonal variations in mortality and exacerbations in patients with COPD during the TIOtropium Safety and Performance In Respimat® (TIOSPIR®) trial. Patients and methods: TIOSPIR was a large-scale, multicenter trial, which assessed the safety and efficacy of tiotropium delivered via HandiHaler® (18 µg once daily) or Respimat® Soft Mist™ (2.5 or 5 µg once daily) inhaler in patients with COPD. Patients were aged ≥40 years, with a smoking history ≥10 pack-years, and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≤70% and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ≤0.70. COPD exacerbations and deaths were monitored throughout the trial. The data were pooled to examine seasonal patterns. Southern hemisphere data were shifted by 6 months to align with northern hemisphere seasons. Results: TIOSPIR was conducted in 43 northern (n=15,968) and 7 southern (n=1,148) hemisphere (n=1,148) countries. The median duration of treatment was 835 days, with a mean follow-up of 2.3 years. Among 19,494 exacerbations, there were clear seasonal differences (winter, 6,646 [34.1%]; spring, 4,515 [23.2%]; summer, 3,198 [16.4%]; autumn, 5,135 [26.3%]). Exacerbations peaked in early winter (December in the northern hemisphere and June in the southern hemisphere), respiratory hospitalizations in midwinter, and respiratory deaths in early spring. Conclusion: Although winter poses a 2-fold hazard for COPD exacerbations vs summer, respiratory deaths peak in early spring. These data suggest that seasonal intensification of preventive treatments may impact COPD morbidity and mortality. Trial registration number: NCT01126437.

Demographic Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes in Patients from Latin America Versus the Rest of the World: A TIOSPIR® Post-Hoc Analysis / Características demográficas y resultados clínicos en pacientes de Latinoamérica respecto al resto del mundo: un análisis post-hoc de TIOSPIR®

Introduction: Geographical variations may impact outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes between patients enrolled in Latin America compared with the rest of the world (RoW) in the TIOtropium Safety and Performance In Respimat® (TIOSPIR®) trial. Methods: TIOSPIR(R), a 2-3-year, randomized, double-blind trial (n=17116; treated set), compared safety and efficacy of once-daily tiotropium Respimat® 5 and 2.5μg with tiotropium HandiHaler® 18μg. This post-hoc analysis pooled data from all treatment arms to assess mortality, exacerbations, cardiac events, and serious adverse events (SAEs) between both regions. Results: At baseline, patients enrolled in Latin America (n=1000) versus RoW (n=16116) were older, with higher pack-years of smoking history and more exacerbations, but less cardiac history. In this analysis, patients in Latin America versus RoW had an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.52 [1.24-1.86]; P<.0001) or moderate-to-severe exacerbation (HR [95% CI]: 1.29 [1.18-1.41]; P<.0001), but a lower risk of severe exacerbation (HR [95% CI]: 0.82 [0.68-0.98]; P=.0333). SAE rates in Latin America were lower versus RoW (incidence rate ratio [IRR] [95% CI]: 0.82 [0.72-0.92]), including cardiac disorders (IRR [95% CI]: 0.68 [0.48-0.97]). Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events were similar (HR [95% CI]: 0.99 [0.71-1.40]; P=.9677). Conclusions: TIOSPIR® patients in Latin America had a higher risk of death or moderate-to-severe exacerbation, but a lower risk of severe exacerbation than those in RoW. Geographical differences may impact outcomes in COPD trials (AU)

Introducción: Las variaciones geográficas pueden afectar a los resultados en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Evaluamos las diferencias en las características basales y los resultados de los pacientes incluidos en Latinoamérica en comparación con el resto del mundo (RdM) en el ensayo TIOtropium Safety and Performance In Respimat(R)® (TIOSPIR(R)). Métodos: TIOSPIR(R), es un estudio aleatorizado, doble ciego de 2-3 años de duración (n=17.116; conjunto tratado), comparó la seguridad y la eficacia del tiotropio Respimat® una vez al día en dosis de 5 y 2,5μg con respecto al tiotropio HandiHaler® 18μg. Este análisis post-hoc reunió datos de todos los brazos de tratamiento para evaluar la mortalidad, las exacerbaciones, los acontecimientos cardíacos y los acontecimientos adversos graves (AAG) entre ambas regiones. Resultados: Al inicio del estudio, los pacientes reclutados en América Latina (n=1.000) versus RdM (n=16.116) eran de mayor edad, con más paquetes/año de consumo de tabaco en sus antecedentes y más exacerbaciones, pero menos antecedentes cardíacos. En este análisis, los pacientes de Latinoamérica versus RdM tenían un mayor riesgo de muerte (razón de riesgo [HR] intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%]: 1,52 [1,24-1,86]; p<0,0001) y de exacerbación moderada a grave (HR [IC 95%]: 1,29 [1,18-1,41]; p<0,0001), pero menor riesgo de exacerbación grave (HR [IC 95%]: 0,82 [0,68-0,98]; p=0,0333). Las tasas de AAG en Latinoamérica fueron más bajas frente al RdM (tasa de incidencia [IRR] [IC 95%]: 0,82 [0,72-0,92]), incluidos los trastornos cardíacos (IRR [IC 95%]: 0,68 [0,48-0,97]). El riesgo de acontecimientos cardiovasculares adversos mayores fue similar (HR [IC 95%]: 0,99 [0,71-1,40]; p=0,9677). Conclusiones: Los pacientes de TIOSPIR® en Latinoamérica tuvieron un mayor riesgo de muerte y de exacerbación moderada a grave, pero un menor riesgo de exacerbación grave que aquellos en el RdM. Las diferencias geográficas pueden afectar los resultados en los ensayos de la EPOC (AU)

Determinants of exacerbation risk in patients with COPD in the TIOSPIR study.

BACKGROUND: Exacerbation history is used to grade the risk of COPD exacerbation, but its reliability and relationship to other risk factors and prior therapy is unclear. To examine these interrelationships, we conducted a post hoc analysis of patients in the TIOSPIR trial with ≥2 years' follow-up or who died on treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were grouped by their annual exacerbation rate on treatment into nonexacerbators, infrequent, and frequent exacerbators (annual exacerbation rates 0, ≤1, and >1, respectively), and baseline characteristics discriminating among the groups were determined. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to explore the effect of baseline characteristics on risk of exacerbation, hospitalization (severe exacerbation), and death (all causes). RESULTS: Of 13,591 patients, 6,559 (48.3%) were nonexacerbators, 4,568 (33.6%) were infrequent exacerbators, and 2,464 (18.1%) were frequent exacerbators; 45% of patients without exacerbations in the previous year exacerbated on treatment. Multivariate analysis identified baseline pulmonary maintenance medication as a predictive factor of increased exacerbation risk, with inhaled corticosteroid treatment associated with increased exacerbation risk irrespective of exacerbation history. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm established risk factors for exacerbation, but highlight the limitations of exacerbation history when categorizing patients and the importance of prior treatment when identifying exacerbation risk.

The association of tidal EFL with exercise performance, exacerbations, and death in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFLT) is frequently found in patients with COPD and can be detected by forced oscillations when within-breath reactance of a single-breath is ≥0.28 kPa·s·L-1. The present study explored the association of within-breath reactance measured over multiple breaths and EFLT with 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), exacerbations, and mortality. METHODS: In 425 patients, spirometry and forced oscillation technique measurements were obtained on eight occasions over 3 years. 6MWD was assessed at baseline and at the 3-year visit. Respiratory symptoms, exacerbations, and hospitalizations were recorded. A total of 5-year mortality statistics were retrieved retrospectively. We grouped patients according to the mean within-breath reactance [Formula: see text], measured over several breaths at baseline, calculated as mean inspiratory-mean expiratory reactance over the sampling period. In addition to the established threshold of EFLT, an upper limit of normal (ULN) was defined using the 97.5th percentile of [Formula: see text], of the healthy controls in the study; 6MWDs were compared according to [Formula: see text], as normal, ≥ ULN < EFLT, or ≥ EFLT. Annual exacerbation rates were analyzed using a negative binomial model in the three groups, supplemented by time to first exacerbation analysis, and dichotomizing patients at the ULN. RESULTS: In patients with COPD and baseline [Formula: see text] below the ULN (0.09 kPa·s·L-1), 6MWD was stable. 6MWD declined significantly in patients with [Formula: see text]. Worse lung function and more exacerbations were found in patients with COPD with [Formula: see text], and patients with [Formula: see text] had shorter time to first exacerbation and hospitalization. A significantly higher mortality was found in patients with [Formula: see text] and FEV1 >50%. CONCLUSION: Patients with baseline [Formula: see text] had a deterioration in exercise performance, more exacerbations, and greater hospitalizations, and, among those with moderate airway obstruction, a higher mortality. [Formula: see text] is a novel independent marker of outcome in COPD.

Cardiovascular outcomes with an inhaled beta2-agonist/corticosteroid in patients with COPD at high cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often coexist. We assessed the effect of inhaled COPD treatments on CVD outcomes and safety in patients with COPD and at heightened CVD risk. METHODS: The SUMMIT (Study to Understand Mortality and MorbidITy) was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial in 16 485 patients with moderate COPD who had or were at high risk of CVD. Here, we assessed the prespecified secondary endpoint of time to first on-treatment composite CVD event (CVD death, myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)) by Cox regression and by clinician-reported CVD adverse events across the four groups: once-daily inhaled placebo (n=4111), long-acting beta2-agonist (vilanterol (VI) 25 µg; n=4118), corticosteroid (fluticasone furoate (FF) 100 µg; n=4135) and combination therapy (FF/VI; n=4121). RESULTS: Participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean 65 (SD 8) years) men (75%) with overt CVD (66%). The composite CVD endpoint occurred in 688 patients (first event: sudden death (35%), acute coronary syndrome (37%) and stroke or TIA (23%), and was not reduced in any treatment group versus placebo: VI (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.22), FF (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.11) and their combination (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.14). Outcomes were similar among all subgroups. Adverse events, including palpitations and arrhythmias, did not differ by treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD with moderate airflow limitation and heightened CVD risk, treatment with inhaled VI, FF or their combination has an excellent safety profile and does not impact CVD outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01313676.

Development and the initial validation of a new self-administered questionnaire for an early detection of health status changes in smokers at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (MARKO questionnaire).

AIM: To develop and do an initial validation of a new simple tool (self-administered questionnaire) that would be sensitive and specific enough to detect early changes in smokers leading to future development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: 224 consecutive participants (50.9% women), with mean±standard deviation age of 52.3±6.7 years, 37.5±16.7 pack-years smoking history (85.8% active smokers), and no prior diagnosis of COPD were recruited. The MARKO questionnaire was self-administered twice; at the general practitioner's office and after 2-4 weeks at the tertiary care hospital. Participants were assessed for COPD by a pulmonologist after filling in a quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, history-taking, physical examination, lung function test, 6-minute walk test, and laboratory tests. They were divided into four subgroups: "healthy" smokers, symptomatic smokers, and smokers with mild and moderately severe COPD. RESULTS: Psychometric analyses indicated that the 18-item questionnaire had a very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.91) and test-retest reliability for a four week period (c=0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-0.92, Lin's concordance). A significant correlations of MARKO scores were found with two QoL questionnaires; r=0.69 (P<0.001) and r=0.81 (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.753 (95% CI 0.691-0.808, <0.001), with a sensitivity of 71.83% and specificity of 64.24% to discriminate "healthy" smokers from other subgroups. CONCLUSION: Based on psychometric analyses and high convergent validity correlation with already validated QoL questionnaires, the newly developed MARKO questionnaire was shown to be a reliable self-administered short health status assessment tool.

Daily home-based spirometry during withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroid in severe to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The WISDOM study (NCT00975195) reported a change in lung function following withdrawal of fluticasone propionate in patients with severe to very severe COPD treated with tiotropium and salmeterol. However, little is known about the validity of home-based spirometry measurements of lung function in COPD. Therefore, as part of this study, following suitable training, patients recorded daily home-based spirometry measurements in addition to undergoing periodic in-clinic spirometric testing throughout the study duration. We subsequently determined the validity of home-based spirometry for detecting changes in lung function by comparing in-clinic and home-based forced expiratory volume in 1 second in patients who underwent stepwise fluticasone propionate withdrawal over 12 weeks versus patients remaining on fluticasone propionate for 52 weeks. Bland-Altman analysis of these data confirmed good agreement between in-clinic and home-based measurements, both across all visits and at the individual visits at study weeks 6, 12, 18, and 52. There was a measurable difference between the forced expiratory volume in 1 second values recorded at home and in the clinic (mean difference of -0.05 L), which may be due to suboptimal patient effort in performing unsupervised recordings. However, this difference remained consistent over time. Overall, these data demonstrate that home-based and in-clinic spirometric measurements were equally valid and reliable for assessing lung function in patients with COPD, and suggest that home-based spirometry may be a useful tool to facilitate analysis of changes in lung function on a day-to-day basis.

Roflumilast: a review of its use in the treatment of COPD.

COPD is a progressive condition involving chronic inflammation and parenchymal destruction with resulting airflow limitation. COPD is associated with worsening airflow limitation over time and increased frequency of COPD exacerbations, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. The effects of COPD extend beyond the lungs, as multiple comorbidities may occur with COPD, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, depression, and pneumonia. COPD exacerbations are associated with a rapid worsening of baseline symptoms that requires prompt management and may necessitate hospitalization in the case of a severe episode. Patients with COPD exacerbations require urgent management of symptoms to prevent further worsening, and preventative steps may be taken to help reduce the number and frequency of future exacerbations. Roflumilast is a potent and selective inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-4 that targets the systemic inflammation associated with COPD. Roflumilast has a variety of anti-inflammatory effects including decreasing inflammatory mediators and the expression of cell surface markers and inhibition of apoptosis. Several clinical trials evaluating roflumilast in the treatment of COPD have demonstrated significant improvements from baseline versus placebo in lung function, including increases in mean pre- and postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity. Data suggest that roflumilast reduces moderate to severe exacerbations with the benefit most well established in patients with severe disease. Given this evidence, roflumilast, as part of a combination regimen with long-acting bronchodilators, appears to be a reasonable treatment option for patients with severe to very severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.

Cough in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: is it important and what are the effects of treatment?

Over the last 40 years the assessment and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has focused primarily on airflow obstruction with little significance given to the problem of cough. The reasons for this include a view that cough arises simply from the direct irritant and inflammatory effect of cigarette smoke or the presence of excess mucus in the airways. Doubt that cough is of any consequence to patients or responsive to current therapies has reinforced this opinion. At odds with this is the emerging evidence that cough impacts adversely on patients' health status and forms an important component of recently validated quality of life instruments. This article presents the arguments why the assessment and treatment of cough should have a more prominent place in the clinical management of COPD.

The presence and progression of emphysema in COPD as determined by CT scanning and biomarker expression: a prospective analysis from the ECLIPSE study.

BACKGROUND: Emphysema is a key contributor to airflow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can be quantified using CT scanning. We investigated the change in CT lung density in a longitudinal, international cohort of patients with COPD. We also explored the potential relation between emphysema and patient characteristics, and investigated if certain circulating biomarkers were associated with decline in CT lung density. METHODS: We used a random coefficient model to assess predictors of both CT lung density and its longitudinal change over 3 years in 1928 patients with COPD enrolled in the Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints (ECLIPSE) study. Lung density was measured for every voxel in the CT scan and after correcting for lung volume was expressed as the density at lowest 15th percentile point of the distribution. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00292552. FINDINGS: Lung density at baseline was influenced by age, sex, body-mass index, current smoking status and smoking history, and severity of airflow limitation. The observed decline in lung density was variable (mean decline -1·13 g/L [SE 0·06] per year). The annual decline in lung density was more rapid in women (additional -0·41 [SE 0·14] g/L per year, p=0·003) than men and in current smokers (additional -0·29 [SE 0·14] g/L per year, p=0·047) than in former smokers. Circulating levels of the biomarkers surfactant protein D (SP-D) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (sRAGE) were significantly associated with both baseline lung density and its decline over time. INTERPRETATION: This study shows that decline in lung density in COPD can be measured, that it is variable, and related to smoking and gender. We identified potential biochemical predictors of the presence and progression of emphysema. FUNDING: GlaxoSmithKline.

Health status in the TORCH study of COPD: treatment efficacy and other determinants of change.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about factors that determine health status decline in clinical trials of COPD. OBJECTIVES: To examine health status changes over 3 years in the TORCH study of salmeterol+fluticasone propionate (SFC) vs. salmeterol alone, fluticasone propionate alone or placebo. METHODS: St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was administered at baseline then every 6 months. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data from 4951 patients in 28 countries were available. SFC produced significant improvements over placebo in all three SGRQ domains during the study: (Symptoms -3.6 [95% CI -4.8, -2.4], Activity -2.8 [95% CI -3.9, -1.6], Impacts -3.2 [95% CI -4.3, -2.1]) but the pattern of change over time differed between domains. SGRQ deteriorated faster in patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages III & IV relative to GOLD stage II (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the relationship between deterioration in SGRQ Total score and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline (as % predicted) in men and women. Significantly faster deterioration in Total score relative to FEV1 % predicted was seen in older patients (≥ 65 years) and there was an age-related change in Total score that was independent of change in FEV1. The relationship between deterioration in FEV1 and SGRQ did not differ in different world regions, but patients in Asia-Pacific showed a large improvement in score that was unrelated to FEV1 change. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to treatment effects, health status changes in clinical trials may be influenced by demographic and disease-related factors. Deterioration in health status appears to be fastest in older persons and those with severe airflow limitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00268216.

Insights into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient attitudes on ventilatory support.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A large proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients do not actually discuss ventilation and other end-of-life issues in the stable state. Such discussions often occur during the exacerbation itself. There is a paucity of data regarding attitudes of COPD patients toward end-of-life attitudes in general and specifically concerning the area of ventilatory support. RECENT FINDINGS: The majority of COPD patients feel end-of-life discussions are warranted in the stable state. Some studies have shown that increasing age and the presence of depression preclude patients from choosing life-sustaining treatment, whereas physicians were often inaccurate in judging patient preference for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and ventilation as they frequently underestimated patient quality of life. Patient information sheets and other tools may have a role as decision aids in end-of-life discussions. SUMMARY: Physicians should consider the discussion of end-of-life issues preferably when patients are stable. Decision aids may prove to be a valuable adjunct in framing treatments such as mechanical ventilation.

The prevention of COPD exacerbations by salmeterol/fluticasone propionate or tiotropium bromide.

Rationale: Exacerbations are key drivers of morbidity and mortality in chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Objectives: We compared the relative efficacy of the long-acting inhaledbronchodilator/anti-inflammatory combination (salmeterol/fluticasone propionate) 50/500mcg bd and the long-acting bronchodilator (tiotropium) 18mcg od in preventing exacerbations and related outcomes in moderate severe COPD Methods: 1323 patients (mean age 64yr, forced expiratory volume in 1sec 39 per cent predicted) were randomized in 2-year, double blind, double-dummy, parallel study.Measurements and Main Results: Primary endpoint was healthcare utilization exacerbation rate. Other endpoints included health status measured by St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), mortality, adverse events and study withdrawal.Probability of withdrawing from the study was 29 per cent greater with tiotropium than salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (p=0.005). The modelled annual exacerbation rate was 1.28 in the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate group and 1.32 in the tiotropium group (rate ratio 0.967 [95 per cent CI: 0.836 to 1.119]; p=0.656). The SGRQ total score was statistically significantly lower at 2 years on salmeterol/fluticasone propionateversus tiotropium (difference 2.1 units, 95 per cent CI: 0.1 to 4.0, p=0.038). Mortality was significantly lower in the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate group; 21 (3 per cent of patients in this group died compared to 38 (6 per cent) in the tiotropium group (p=0.032). Morepneumonias were reported in the salmeterol/fluticasone propionate group relative to tiotropium (p=0.008).Conclusions: We found no difference in exacerbation rate between salmeterol/fluticasone propionate and tiotropium. More patients failed to complete the study receiving tiotropium. A small statistically significant beneficial effect was found on health status, with an unexpected finding of lower deaths in salmeterol/fluticasone propionate treated patients.