International Journal of COPD (Apr 2022)
Treatment Patterns for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the United States: Results from an Observational Cross-Sectional Physician and Patient Survey
Abstract
David Mannino,1 James Siddall,2 Mark Small,2 Adam Haq,2 Marjorie Stiegler,3 Michael Bogart3 1Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; 2Respiratory DSP Franchise, Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK; 3US Value Evidence and Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Durham, NC, USACorrespondence: Michael Bogart, US Value Evidence and Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline plc, 5 Moore Dr, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA, Tel +19198897413, Email [email protected]: There is a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States (US). Although guidelines are available for the treatment of COPD, evidence suggests that management of COPD in clinical practice is not always aligned with this guidance. This study aimed to further understand the current use of COPD maintenance medication in the US.Patients and Methods: This study was an analysis of data from the Adelphi Respiratory Disease Specific Programme (DSP™) 2019. Point-in-time data were collected from participating US physicians and their COPD patients. Physicians were either primary care physicians (PCPs) or pulmonologists, with a minimum workload of ≥ 3 COPD patients per month. Patients were aged ≥ 18 years with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of COPD.Results: In total, 171 physicians completed the survey (92 PCPs and 79 pulmonologists). Mean patient age was 66.4 years, 45% were female, with moderate COPD in 49.4% of patients and severe/very severe in 19.3%. Pulmonologists more frequently prescribed dual bronchodilation and triple therapy than PCPs, whereas inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist was more frequently prescribed by PCPs than pulmonologists. For both physician types, the most common reason for prescribing their patients’ current treatment was 24-hour symptom relief. The majority of PCPs (70.1%) and pulmonologists (71.9%) reported referring to COPD guidelines when making treatment decisions.Conclusion: Prescribing patterns for COPD patients were found to differ between PCPs and pulmonologists. Improved physician understanding of how to tailor treatment for each patient, based on current symptoms and exacerbation risk, could help optimize patient care in COPD.Keywords: COPD, inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting β2-agonist, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, maintenance therapy, survey
