Abstract
Background
Current GOLD guidelines classify patients with COPD into groups (A–D) in terms of less or more symptoms and low or high risk. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists, such as aclidinium, are now recommended as first-choice option for Group B–D patients and as an alternative choice for Group A patients.
Aim
To assess the effect of aclidinium 400 µg twice daily (BID) on dyspnoea and health status in patients with COPD stratified by GOLD group.
Methods
Data from the placebo and aclidinium arms of three, 6-month, placebo-controlled studies evaluating aclidinium mono- or combination-therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were analysed. Breathlessness was assessed using the Transitional Dyspnoea Index (TDI) and health status using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Health status assessment was based on two studies due to a treatment interaction by study (p<0.05).
Results
In total, 1787 patients were included: baseline characteristics (mean ranges) age 62.4–63.9 years, mean FEV1 % predicted 54–57%, percentage of patients in each group was A: 7.9%, B: 48.4%, C: 3.1%, D: 40.6 %. At Week 24, aclidinium significantly improved TDI and SGRQ total scores vs placebo (overall and Groups A+C and B+D; see Table).
Conclusions
Aclidinium improved dyspnoea and health status regardless of GOLD Group.
- © 2014 ERS
