Sunovion is presenting observational study data at the Hospital Medicine 2016 conference showing that a substantial number of COPD patients are discharged from hospitals with a prescription for a dry powder inhaler despite their inability to generate sufficient peak inspiratory flow for optimal use of the device. Data from a second study show worse COPD-related outcomes for patients who have low confidence in their ability to use their inhaler correctly compared to patients who have more confidence.
One study looked at COPD patients who were discharged from the hospital after a COPD exacerbation. Of the 100 patients in the study, ~25% were unable to generate a peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) of ≥ 60L/min, which is recommended for optimal use of the Diskus device. Of those patients, 70% were prescribed a DPI, including Diskus.
The other study found that at least one third of COPD patients reported a lack of confidence in their ability to use an inhaler correctly, which was correlated to low patient satisfaction and poorer health outcomes.
Sunovion VP, Head of Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research Krithika Rajagopalan said, “At Sunovion, we are committed to understanding how COPD treatments impact patient outcomes in real-world settings. The more we understand about the relationship between device selection and its association with patient satisfaction and health status in the complex world of COPD treatment and management, the greater difference we can make in developing medications and device-drug combinations, that can improve patients’ lives.”
Read the Sunovion press release.
