Comparative analysis of budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/salmeterol combinations in COPD patients: findings from a real-world analysis in an Italian setting

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of patients initiating treatment with budesonide/formoterol or fluticasone/salmeterol prior and after propensity matching – comparison

Characteristics	Prior to matching		After matching
	Fluticasone/salmeterol	Budesonide/formoterol	Fluticasone/salmeterol
n	11,474	4,680	4,680
Age, years (mean ± SD)	67.4±12.7	63.7±13.0	63.7±13.2
Male (%)	53	50	50
CCI (mean ± SD)	2.02±1.27	1.79±1.10	1.76±1.21
Pre-index utilization
COPD-related hospitalization (n, %)	626 (5.5)	220 (4.7)	240 (5.1)
Tiotropium (n, %)	2,830 (24.7)	945 (20.2)	847 (18.1)
ICSs (n, %)	3,645 (31.8)	1,295 (27.7)	1,258 (26.9)
SABAs (n, %)	2,571 (22.4)	1,006 (21.5)	996 (21.3)
LABAs (n, %)	592 (5.2)	224 (4.8)	238 (5.1)
Antibiotics (n, %)	8,574 (74.7)	3,226 (68.9)	3,179 (67.9)
Oral corticosteroids (n, %)	4,097 (35.7)	1,424 (30.4)	1,432 (30.6)
Angiotensin receptor blockers (n, %)	3,436 (29.9)	1,172 (25.0)	1,163 (24.9)
β-adrenergic blocking agents (n, %)	1,910 (16.6)	633 (13.5)	608 (13.0)
Statins (n, %)	2,540 (22.1)	818 (17.5)	798 (17.1)
Calcium channel blockers drugs (n, %)	2,734 (23.8)	903 (19.3)	887 (19.0)
Thiazides (n, %)	31 (0.3)	18 (0.4)	10 (0.2)

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; CCI, Charlson Comorbidity Index; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; SABA, short-acting β-agonist; LABA, long-acting β2-agonist.

Figure 1 Propensity score-matched populations of COPD patients treated with budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/salmeterol fixed combinations.

Abbreviations: IRR, incidence rate ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Figure 2 (A) The mean health care cost during the follow-up period. (B) The mean health care cost during the follow-up period (actualized ATC R03 costs).

Abbreviations: ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; LABA, long-acting β2-agonist.