https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9728-9992
![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Background
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) afford therapeutic benefits in some COPD patients, but their widespread use is cautioned due to an increased risk of developing pneumonia. Subclass variations exist, and the risk profile differs for individual ICS. Formulation particle size has been identified as a potential effect modifier. The present study compared the risk of pneumonia among new COPD users of fixed-dose combination inhalers containing fine-particle fluticasone (fp-FDC-F) versus extrafine particle beclometasone (ef-FDC-BDP).
Methods
A propensity matched historical cohort study was conducted using data from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database. COPD patients aged ≥40 years with ≥1 year of continuous medical data who initiated fp-FDC-F or ef-FDC-BDP were compared. The primary outcome was time to pneumonia event, as treated, using either sensitive (physician diagnosed) or specific (physician diagnosed and x-ray or hospital admission confirmed) definitions.
Results
A total of 13,316 patients were matched. Initiation of fp-FDC-F (mean dosage furoate 99 µg; propionate 710 µg) was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia versus ef-FDC-BDP (mean beclometasone dose 395 µg), irrespective of definition (sensitive HR 1.38 95% CI 1.14–1.68; specific HR 1.31 95% CI 1.05–1.62).
Conclusion
In the current investigation, we found that in comparison to extrafine beclomethasone, commencing a formulation containing fluticasone is associated with an increased risk of developing pneumonia. These observations support the idea that not all ICS are equal in their adverse effects and subclass variations exist and should be carefully considered in the treatment choice.
Abbreviations
ADEPT, Anonymised Data Ethics Protocols and Transparency; BMI, body mass index; COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; ef-FDC-BDP, extrafine particle fixed dose beclomethasone; ENCePP, European Network Centers for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance; fp-FDC-F, fine-particle fixed dose fluticasone; fp-FDC-FF, fine-particle fixed dose fluticasone furoate; fp-FDC-FP, fine-particle fixed dose fluticasone propionate; HR, Hazard Ratio; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; LABA, long-acting beta-2 agonists; LABD, long-acting bronchodilators; LAMA, long-acting muscarinic antagonists; OPCRD, Optimum Patient Care Research Database.
Ethics Approval
The study protocol was established prior to data extraction, in accordance with the criteria for the European Network Centers for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP) and follows the ENCePP code of conduct (2014). Registration of the study with the European Union electronic Register of Post-Authorization studies was also undertaken (EUPAS35439). As noted, the dataset was derived from the OPCRD, which has ethical approval from the National Health Service Research Authority to hold and process anonymised research data (Research Ethics Committee reference: 15/EM/0150). Approval for this study was granted by the Anonymised Data Ethics Protocols and Transparency (ADEPT) committee – the independent scientific advisory committee for the OPCRD (ADEPT0820). The authors do not have permission to give public access to the study dataset; requests to access OPCRD can be made via the OCPRD website (https://opcrd.co.uk/our-database/data-requests/) or via the enquiries email [email protected].
Acknowledgments
Professor Dave Singh is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Jaco Vooriham is acknowledged for his contribution to protocol development. We would also like to acknowledge Ms. Shilpa Suresh (MSc) of the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute (OPRI), Singapore, for editorial and formatting assistance which supported the development of this publication.
Author Contributions
All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data. All authors took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content. All authors agreed to submit to the current journal. All authors gave final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
David B Price has advisory board membership with AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Mylan, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Genzyme, Thermofisher; consultancy agreements with Airway Vista Secretariat, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, EPG Communication Holdings Ltd, FIECON Ltd, Fieldwork International, GlaxoSmithKline, Mylan, Mundipharma, Novartis, OM Pharma SA, PeerVoice, Phadia AB, Spirosure Inc, Strategic North Limited, Synapse Research Management Partners S.L., Talos Health Solutions, Theravance and WebMD Global LLC; grants and unrestricted funding for investigator-initiated studies (conducted through Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute Pte Ltd) from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Mylan, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Respiratory Effectiveness Group, Sanofi Genzyme, Theravance and UK National Health Service; payment for lectures/speaking engagements from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Cipla, GlaxoSmithKline, Kyorin, Mylan, Mundipharma, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Genzyme; payment for travel/accommodation/meeting expenses from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Mundipharma, Mylan, Novartis, Thermofisher; stock/stock options from AKL Research and Development Ltd which produces phytopharmaceuticals; owns 74% of the social enterprise Optimum Patient Care Ltd (Australia and UK) and 92.61% of Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute Pte Ltd (Singapore); 5% shareholding in Timestamp which develops adherence monitoring technology; is peer reviewer for grant committees of the UK Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme, and Health Technology Assessment; and was an expert witness for GlaxoSmithKline.
Derek Skinner, Rebecca Vella and Victoria Carter are affiliated with the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute.
William Henley is affiliated with the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute and reports travel support from Eisai Limited.
Leonardo M. Fabbri reports lecture fees and/or consultancies from Alfasigma, AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Lusofarmaco, Merck, Novartis, Zambon, and Verona Pharma.
Huib AM Kerstjens reports grants and consultancy/advisory board participation from/for AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis, all outside the submitted work. All were paid to his institution.
Alberto Papi is on the boards for and has received research and travel support and consultancy and lecture fees from Chiesi Farmaceutici, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Takeda, Mundipharma Research Limited, and Teva; has received lecture fees and travel support from Menarini, Novartis, and Zambon; is on the boards for and has received lecture fees and travel support from Pfizer and has received research support from Sanofi.
Nicolas Roche reports grants and personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, GSK, and Pfizer, and personal fees from Teva, GSK, AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Sanofi, and Zambon.
Dave Singh has received personal fees from GSK, Cipla, Genentech and Peptinnovate, and personal fees and grant support from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Glenmark, Gossamerbio, Menarini, Mundipharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Pulmatrix, Theravance and Verona..
Claus F Vogelmeier gave presentations at symposia and/or served on scientific advisory boards sponsored by Aerogen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, Grifols, Menarini, Novartis, Nuvaira, and MedUpdate.
Elif Şen report no conflict of interest.
José Eduardo Delfini Cançado reports grants and personal fees from Aché, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Eurofarma, GSK, Glenmarkpharma, Novartis, Sanofi and Zambon.
Elena Nudo, Sara Barile and George Georges are employees of Chiesi Farmaceutici, S.p.A. George Georges reports stock ownerships from GSK, Sanofi, Insmed, Regeneron, Gilead, Vertex, Ultragenyx, and Fibrogen. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.