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When is dual bronchodilation indicated in COPD?

ABSTRACT: Inhaled bronchodilator medications are central to the management of COPD and are frequently given on a regular basis to prevent or reduce symptoms. While short-acting bronchodilators are a treatment option for people with relatively few COPD symptoms and at low risk of exacerbations, for the majority of patients with significant breathlessness at the time of diagnosis, long-acting bronchodilators may be required. Dual bronchodilation with a long-acting β2-agonist and long-acting muscarinic antagonist may be more effective treatment for some of these patients, with the aim of improving symptoms. This combination may also reduce the rate of exacerbations compared with a bronchodilator-inhaled corticosteroid combination in those with a history of exacerbations. However, there is currently a lack of guidance on clinical indicators suggesting which patients should step up from mono- to dual bronchodilation. In this article, we discuss a number of clinical indicators that could prompt a patient and physician to consider treatment escalation, while being mindful of the need to avoid unnecessary polypharmacy. These indicators include insufficient symptomatic response, a sustained increased requirement for rescue medication, suboptimal 24-hour symptom control, deteriorating symptoms, the occurrence of exacerbations, COPD-related hospitalization, and reductions in lung function. Future research is required to provide a better understanding of the optimal timing and benefits of treatment escalation and to identify the appropriate tools to inform this decision.

SUBMITTER: Thomas M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5546730 | biostudies-other | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Several fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of long-acting bronchodilators (a long-acting muscarinic antagonist [LAMA] plus a long-acting ?2-agonist [LABA]) are available for the treatment of COPD. Studies of these FDCs have demonstrated substantial improvements in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) in comparison with their respective constituent monocomponents. Improvements in patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as symptoms and health status, as well as exacerbation rates, have been reported compared with a LABA or LAMA alone, but results are less consistent. The inconsistencies may in part be owing to differences in study design, methods used to assess study end points, and patient populations. Nevertheless, these observations tend to support an association between improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and improvements in symptom-based outcomes. In order to assess the effects of FDCs on PROs and evaluate relationships between PROs and changes in lung function, we performed a systematic literature search of publications reporting randomized controlled trials of FDCs. Results of this literature search were independently assessed by two reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving any conflicting results. In total, 22 Phase III randomized controlled trials of FDC bronchodilators in COPD were identified, with an additional study including a post-literature search (ten for indacaterol-glycopyrronium once daily, eight for umeclidinium-vilanterol once daily, three for tiotropium-olodaterol once daily, and two for aclidinium-formoterol twice daily). Results from these studies demonstrated that the LAMA-LABA FDCs significantly improved lung function compared with their component monotherapies or other single-agent treatments. Furthermore, LABA-LAMA combinations also generally improved symptoms and health status versus monotherapies, although some discrepancies between lung function and PROs were observed. Overall, the safety profiles of the FDCs were similar to placebo. Further research is required to examine more closely any relationship between lung function and PROs in patients receiving LABA-LAMA combinations.

Project description:BackgroundMany patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) still experience daily symptoms, exacerbations, and accelerated lung function decline, even when receiving maximal combined treatment with inhaled long-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Novel treatment options are needed for these patients. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that impact a range of cellular functions by modulating levels of cyclic nucleotides, and there is evidence to suggest that combined inhibition of PDE3 and PDE4 can have additive (or perhaps synergistic) effects. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine, a first-in-class dual inhibitor of PDE 3 and 4, in patients with COPD.MethodsThis randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-ranging study recruited patients with COPD, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 40-80% predicted and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio ≤ 0.7. Patients were randomised equally to inhale nebulised ensifentrine 0.75, 1.5, 3 or 6 mg or placebo, all twice daily.Primary outcomeplacebo-adjusted difference in peak FEV1 (assessed over 3 h) at Week 4.ResultsThe study took place between July 2017 and February 2018. Of 405 patients randomly assigned to medication, 375 (92.6%) completed the study. For peak FEV1 at Week 4, all four ensifentrine doses were superior to placebo (p ≤ 0.0001) with least squares mean differences of 146 (95% CI 75-216), 153 (83-222), 200 (131-270) and 139 (69-210) mL for ensifentrine 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg, respectively. Respiratory symptoms (assessed using the Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms questionnaire) were also significantly improved with all ensifentrine doses at Week 4. Adverse events were reported by 33.3, 44.4, 35.4 and 36.3% patients with ensifentrine 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 mg, respectively, and 39.2% with placebo.ConclusionsIn this four-week Phase IIb study, all four ensifentrine doses significantly improved bronchodilation and symptoms, with a dose-ranging effect from 0.75 to 3 mg twice daily, and all doses well tolerated. The study supports the continuing development of ensifentrine in COPD.Trial registrationEudraCT 2016-005205-40, registered 30 May 2017.

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When is dual bronchodilation indicated in COPD?

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