Patterns and Trends in the Use of Medications for COPD Control in a Cohort of 9476 Colombian Patients, 2017–2019

Abstract

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 174 million people worldwide. The objective was to determine the trends of COPD medication use in a group of Colombian patients.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective study on prescription patterns of bronchodilators and other medications used in COPD from a population database with follow-up at 12 and 24 months. Patients older than 18 years of age of any sex with a COPD diagnostic code between 2017 and 2019 were included. Sociodemographic variables, medications, treatment schedules for COPD, comorbidities, comedications, and the specialty of the prescriber were considered.

Results

Data from 9476 people with COPD was evaluated. The mean age was 75.9 ± 10.7 years, 50.1% were male, and 86.8% were prescribed by a general practitioner. A total of 57.9% had comorbidities, most often hypertension (44.4%). At the baseline measurement, on average, they received 1.6 medications/patient, mainly short-acting antimuscarinics (3784; 39.9%), followed by short-acting β-agonists (2997, 31.6%) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (2239, 23.6%); more than half (5083, 53.6%) received a long-acting bronchodilator. Prescription of triple therapy (antimuscarinic, β-agonist, and ICS) went from 645 (6.8%) at baseline to 1388 (20.6%) at the 12-month mark.

Conclusion

This group of patients with COPD treated in Colombia frequently received short-acting bronchodilators and ICS, but a growing proportion are undergoing controlled therapy with long-acting bronchodilators, a situation that can improve the indicators of morbidity, exacerbations, and hospitalization.

Keywords:

• pulmonary disease
• chronic obstructive
• bronchodilator agents
• muscarinic antagonists
• pharmacoepidemiology

Data Sharing Statement

protocols.io; dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.bzyfp7tn

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Soffy López and Carlos Tovar for their support in obtaining the initial database of patients.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

This work was funded by GSK. GSK did not participate in the management or data analysis of the study information. MEMD, JEMA, AGM and LFVR have developed studies funded by GSK, Pfizer, Biotoscana, Sanofi, Sanofi-Pasteur, Abbot, Tecnoquímicas, Bayer, and Novartis. MELC and AGR are GSK employees. MELC has received speaker’s fees for: GSK, Astra Zeneca, Novartis. AGM reports grants from GSK, during the conduct of the study; and has developed studies funded by GSK, Pfizer, Biotoscana, Sanofi, Sanofi-Pasteur, Abbot, Tecnoquímicas, Bayer, and Novartis. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Colombia (ID 213332).