Effectiveness and Patient Satisfaction with Budesonide/Formoterol Easyhaler® Among Patients with Asthma or COPD Switching from Previous Treatment: a Real-World Study of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Abstract

Plain Language Summary 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.

Keywords

• Asthma
• Asthma control
• Budesonide/formoterol Easyhaler®
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Switching
• Effectiveness