%0 Journal Article %A David Price %A Katsiaryna Bichel %A Daniel West %A Victoria Carter %A Valerie L. Ashton %A Rebecca Stewart %T Prescribing patterns for UK patients commencing first maintenance therapy for COPD %D 2014 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P4722 %V 44 %N Suppl 58 %X Background: Guidelines recommend long-acting bronchodilators as first maintenance therapy for mild to moderate COPD, with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) reserved for more severe patients (pts). ICS might be overused.Aim: To characterise UK pts commencing first maintenance therapy for COPD to investigate whether prescribing patterns match COPD severity.Methods: Retrospective observational study, using Optimum Patient Care Research Database, of pts prescribed first maintenance therapy for COPD (ICS, long-acting β agonist [LABA], long-acting muscarinic antagonist [LAMA] or combination) in 2009-2012 at or after COPD diagnosis confirmed by spirometry. Study period was 1 year before and 1-3 years after prescription for therapy. Therapy, COPD severity (FEV1% predicted, at both diagnosis and at first maintenance therapy), and comorbidities (at any time) were recorded.Results: 2217 pts (55% male; 45% smokers; 47% ex-smokers; 22% aged <60 years; 54% 60-75 years; 24% ≥75 years) commenced on ICS, ICS+LABA, ICS+LAMA, ICS+LABA+LAMA (51%); LABA, LAMA, LABA+LAMA (49%).View this table: Conclusion: ICSs and their combinations are prescribed frequently as first maintenance therapies for COPD, regardless of COPD severity (similar at diagnosis and first therapy), and comorbidities. %U