Impact of COPD Exacerbations and Burden of Disease in Spain: AVOIDEX Study

Abstract

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality, with a considerable consumption of healthcare resources (HRU). This study aims to obtain real world evidence regarding the consequences of COPD exacerbations and to provide updated data on the burden of this disease and its treatment.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective study in seven Spanish regions was conducted among COPD patients diagnosed between 1/01/2010 and 31/12/2017. The index date was the diagnosis of COPD and patients were followed until lost to follow-up, death or end of the study, whichever occurred first. Patients were classified by patient pattern (incident or prevalent), type and severity of exacerbations, and treatments prescribed. Demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated, together with the incidence of exacerbations, comorbidities, and the use of HRU, during the baseline (12 months before the index date) and the follow-up periods by incident/prevalent and treatment prescribed. Mortality rate was also measured.

Results

The study included 34,557 patients with a mean age of 70 years (standard deviation: 12). The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes, osteoporosis, and anxiety. Most patients received inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with long-acting beta agonists (LABA), or long-acting muscarinic agonists (LAMA), followed by LABA with LAMA. Incident patients (N=8229; 23.8%) had fewer exacerbations than prevalent patients (N=26328; 76.2%), 0.3 vs 1.2 exacerbations per 100 patient-years. All treatment patterns present a substantial disease burden, which seems to increase with the evolution of the disease (ie moving from initial treatments to combination therapies). The overall mortality rate was 40.2 deaths/1000 patient-years. General practitioner visits and tests were the HRU most frequently required. The frequency and severity of exacerbations positively correlated with the use of HRU.

Conclusion

Despite receiving treatment, patients with COPD suffer a considerable burden mainly due to exacerbations and comorbidities, which require a substantial use of HRU.

Keywords:

• COPD
• real-world evidence
• clinical practice
• triple therapy
• ICS
• LABA
• LAMA

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Inés Pérez Román for her collaboration in writing the manuscript.

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

JN and MJC are fulltime employees of AstraZeneca. ASM is a fulltime employee of Atrys Health. JJSC declares personal fees from AstraZeneca during the conduct of the study; personal fees and grants from GlaxoSmithKline and personal fees and non-financial support from AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bial, Chiesi, Menarini, and Novartis. JLI reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, Grifols, Menarini, Novartis, Orion, Pfizer, Sandoz, Teva, and Zambon during the conduct of the study. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by AstraZeneca MC, Spain.