Abstract
RATIONALE: The Aerobika* Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device has previously been shown to significantly improve measures such as ease-bringing-up-sputum, FVC, quality of life and 6MWD in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients with chronic bronchitis (CB). This abstract reports exacerbation data from real-world outcomes over 6 months among COPD patients with CB.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of the CDM hospital claims database was conducted between September 2013 and August 2015. The final study sample comprised of 810 patients, 405 received an Aerobika* device and 405 were propensity score matched. The study inclusion criteria were: ≥1 record pre-index, ≥1 record post-index, newly initiated on Aerobika*device, ≥1 diagnosis of CB on/before index, ≥18 yrs old, no evidence of other PEP/OPEP anytime, with complete records.
RESULTS: The Aerobika* device cohort showed a statistically significant 28% reduction (25.7% to 18.5%, p<0.014) in the proportion of patients exhibiting a moderate to severe exacerbation within 30 days. The number needed to treat (NNT), determined from these results, was 14.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the Aerobika* device cohort, experienced a significant reduction in moderate to severe exacerbations within 30 days. This translates to a NNT of 14 which compares favorably to several drug product studies. These findings provide additional evidence that the drug-free Aerobika* device may be an effective addition to a disease management plan for COPD patients with chronic bronchitis.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
