The Efficacy, Tolerance and Acceptance of a New Fixed-Dose Salmeterol and Fluticasone Propionate Dry-Powder Inhaler—Salflumix Easyhaler^® in COPD Patients in the Daily Clinical Practice

Abstract

The efficacy of the fix-dose salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was only shown for the original product. This investigator-initiated study aimed to prove the efficacy and safety of Salflumix Easyhaler®, a second-entry product (dry-powder inhaler) in a real-life setting. The efficacy of the therapy was assessed in 440 COPD outpatients (36.1% classified as C&D groups according to GOLD) using the COPD assessment test (CAT) and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC). During 86 ± 30 days, the frequency of COPD with a big and very big impact on life (CAT > 20 pts); and high scores of dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 2) decreased from 60.7% and 57.5% at I visit to 15.2% and 22.6% at III visits, respectively (p ® as very low. Adherence exceeded 90%. This study supports effectiveness, satisfaction, and convenience with the use of this new product in COPD, and shows that ICS-containing DPI therapy is still improperly prescribed for patients with a low risk of COPD exacerbation in real-life settings.

Keywords

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• fix-dose salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination
• generic