RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Inappropriate prescriptions following initial COPD diagnosis JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P2391 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 Rupert Jones A1 Nick Freemantle A1 Marc Miravitlles A1 Guy Bruselle A1 Kevin Gruffydd-Jones A1 Mike Baldwin A1 Rebecca Stewart A1 Anna Rigazio A1 Annie Burden A1 David Price YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2391.abstract AB Background: Guidelines suggest that COPD is treated first with bronchodilators and then with ICS. Previous research indicates that both ICS and triple therapy (ICS + LAMA + LABA) are overused in COPD treatment.Methods: Real-life study using the Optimum Patient Care Research Database (OPCRD), which investigates the prescription of COPD therapies. Patients aged ≥40 years and diagnosed since 1997 had spirometry data supportive of COPD, 1 year of data pre and 2 years post-diagnosis. Lung function severity was defined by FEV1 % predicted. Patients receiving the following medications at the date of their initial COPD diagnosis were described: inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), ICS + long-acting β-agonist (LABA), ICS + LABA + long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), ICS + LAMA, LABA, LABA + LAMA and LAMA. ‘None’ refers to patients with no treatment prior to or at their initial COPD diagnosis.Results: The graph shows the percentage of patients prescribed therapy by lung function severity (n = 20154)Conclusions: Patients appear to be inappropriately prescribed ICS at their initial COPD diagnosis, regardless of lung function severity. A significant percentage of patients are also prescribed no treatment despite severe loss of lung function.