Introduction: Persistent symptoms, poor disease control, and reduced quality of life (QoL) are common in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current therapies are only partially effective and inhaler misuse contributes to insufficient disease control and poor outcomes. This real-world study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of budesonide/formoterol fumarate (B/F) Easyhaler® in everyday clinical practice in Hungary.
Methods: Post hoc, subgroup analyses of this 12-week, real-world, multicenter, open-label study were conducted in adults diagnosed with asthma or COPD. Endpoints included the change in patient-reported outcome measures; i.e., symptoms and disease control measured by Asthma Control Test or COPD Assessment Test and health-related (HR)QoL measured by mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire or modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale. Changes in lung function and patient satisfaction with B/F Easyhaler versus their previous inhaler were also evaluated. Results were stratified by the inhaler device used at visit 1 (baseline, when patients switched device); comparisons were made with B/F Easyhaler use after 12 weeks, assessed at visit 3.
Results: In total, 398 and 563 patients with asthma and COPD, respectively, were analyzed. Significant improvements (p < 0.0001) in symptoms and disease control, HRQoL, and lung function were reported 12 weeks after switching treatment to B/F Easyhaler from the most commonly used devices (≥ 10% of patients). Significant increases in patient satisfaction were also reported versus comparators.
Conclusions: Patients with asthma or COPD who switched to B/F Easyhaler from their previous inhaler due to lack of disease control achieved significant improvements in symptoms and disease control, HRQoL, and lung function within 12 weeks of real-world use with significant increase in patient satisfaction also observed. Such comparative information may reassure clinicians and patients that may be viewed as an appropriate and potentially beneficial treatment option.
Trial registration number: OGYÉI/13942-5/2016 (National Pharmaceutical Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition of Hungary).
Funding: Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma. Plain language summary available for this article.
Keywords: Asthma; Asthma control; Budesonide/formoterol Easyhaler®; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Effectiveness; Health-related quality of life; Patient satisfaction; Real-world evidence; Switching.
Introduction: Long-lasting symptoms and reduced quality of life are common in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current therapies are only partially effective and handling/usage errors can affect how well patients’ disease is controlled and how many patients see an improvement in their condition.
Methods: This study, conducted in clinical practice in Hungary, aimed to evaluate whether 12 weeks’ treatment with budesonide/formoterol fumarate (B/F) Easyhaler® (after switching from a previous inhaler) resulted in (1) reduced asthma or COPD symptoms, (2) improved disease control, (3) improved quality of life, and (4) increased lung function; the first three items were evaluated using validated questionnaires and the fourth by spirometry. Patients also answered questions on how satisfied they were after switching to the Easyhaler from their previous device.
Results: Overall, 398 and 563 patients with asthma and COPD, respectively, were analyzed. The patients’ asthma/COPD symptoms reduced, their disease control and quality of life improved, and lung function increased (all significantly) after 12 weeks’ treatment with B/F Easyhaler, following their treatment switch. In addition, more patients rated the Easyhaler as ‘very good or good’ after switching.
Conclusions: Switching treatment to B/F Easyhaler may be an effective treatment option for patients with asthma or COPD.