Results from a US comparative effectiveness study of two maintenance treatment options for patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were published recently in the International Journal of COPD. This is the first US real-world study to examine the comparative effectiveness of SYMBICORT® 160/4.5 (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist combination therapy, and tiotropium bromide 18 mcg, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, in patients with COPD.
The study was conducted using US claims data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Environment. The analysis included patients who were at least 40 years old and had a diagnosis code for COPD associated with either hospitalization, treatment in an emergency department, and/or fill of an oral corticosteroid prescription within 10 days of an outpatient visit. Patients were followed for 12 months after an initial prescription fill for either SYMBICORT or tiotropium bromide. Comparative effectiveness between the two study cohorts included analysis of healthcare utilization and costs in the year following an initial prescription claim.
The study, titled "Comparative Effectiveness of Budesonide/Formoterol Combination and Tiotropium Bromide Among COPD Patients New to These Controller Treatments," was published online in the September issue of the International Journal of COPD.
"AstraZeneca is committed to understanding the impact of its medicines in the real-world, beyond what is seen in controlled clinical trials," said Frank Trudo, MD, Medical Affairs, AstraZeneca. "Real-world studies such as this one offer healthcare providers and payers with valuable information that can be used to help inform their treatment decisions."
SYMBICORT 160/4.5 is indicated for the maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. SYMBICORT is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm.
Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide can be downloaded here.