Effects of combined tiotropium/olodaterol on inspiratory capacity and exercise endurance in COPD

Fixed-intensity exercise tests to measure exertional dyspnoea in chronic heart and lung populations: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Exertional dyspnoea is the primary diagnostic symptom for chronic cardiopulmonary disease populations. Whilst a number of exercise tests are used, there remains no gold standard clinical measure of exertional dyspnoea. The aim of this review was to comprehensively describe and evaluate all types of fixed-intensity exercise tests used to assess exertional dyspnoea in chronic cardiopulmonary populations and, where possible, report the reliability and responsiveness of the tests.

METHODS

A systematic search of five electronic databases identified papers that examined 1) fixed-intensity exercise tests and measured exertional dyspnoea, 2) chronic cardiopulmonary populations, 3) exertional dyspnoea reported at isotime or upon completion of fixed-duration exercise tests, and 4) published in English.

RESULTS

Searches identified 8785 papers. 123 papers were included, covering exercise tests using a variety of fixed-intensity protocols. Three modes were identified, as follows: 1) cycling (n=87), 2) walking (n=31) and 3) other (step test (n=8) and arm exercise (n=2)). Most studies (98%) were performed on chronic respiratory disease patients. Nearly all studies (88%) used an incremental exercise test. 34% of studies used a fixed duration for the exercise test, with the remaining 66% using an exhaustion protocol recording exertional dyspnoea at isotime. Exertional dyspnoea was measured using the Borg scale (89%). 7% of studies reported reliability. Most studies (72%) examined the change in exertional dyspnoea in response to different interventions.

CONCLUSION

Considerable methodological variety of fixed-intensity exercise tests exists to assess exertional dyspnoea and most test protocols require incremental exercise tests. There does not appear to be a simple, universal test for measuring exertional dyspnoea in the clinical setting.

LABA/LAMA as First-Line Therapy for COPD: A Summary of the Evidence and Guideline Recommendations

Inhaled bronchodilators (alone or in combination) are the cornerstone of treatment for symptomatic patients with COPD, either as initial/first-line treatment or for second-line/treatment escalation in patients who experience persistent symptoms or exacerbations on monotherapy. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2022 report recommends initial pharmacological treatment with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) or a long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA) as monotherapy for most patients, or dual bronchodilator therapy (LABA/LAMA) in patients with more severe symptoms, regardless of exacerbation history. The recommendations for LABA/LAMA are broader in the American Thoracic Society treatment guidelines, which strongly recommend LABA/LAMA combination therapy over LAMA or LABA monotherapy in patients with COPD and dyspnea or exercise intolerance. However, despite consistent guideline recommendations, real-world prescribing data indicate that LAMA and/or LABA without an inhaled corticosteroid are not the most widely prescribed therapies in COPD. This article reviews global and regional/national guideline recommendations for the use of LABA/LAMA in COPD, examines the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of LABA/LAMA versus other therapies and offers a practical guide for clinicians to help ensure appropriate use of LABA/LAMA therapy.

The Role of Dual Bronchodilation and the Conscientious Use of Inhaled Corticosteroid in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global public health burden that stands out as a leading cause of mortality around the world, especially in less developed countries. COPD treatment should be centered on the individual necessities of each patient, integrating pharmacological therapy, immunization, nutritional support, pulmonary rehabilitation and control of comorbidities. Combining a long-acting antimuscarinic (LAMA) with a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) bronchodilator has proven to be more effective than monotherapy with LABA or LAMA, in terms of the functional improvement of forced expiratory volume (FEV1), symptoms and life quality and may be helpful in patients with progressive dyspnea. The eosinophil blood count is a simple biomarker that could guide personalized treatment strategies by identifying patients with greater clinical benefits of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment. However, one critical concern is the increased risk of pneumonia in individuals treated with ICS.

A randomized, crossover, placebo controlled, double blind trial of the effects of tiotropium-olodaterol on neuromuscular performance during exercise in COPD

Exercise intolerance in COPD is associated with dyspnea, reduced inspiratory capacity (IC) and occurs with a neuromuscular "power reserve" i.e. an acute ability to increase isokinetic locomotor power. This power reserve is associated with resting FEV₁/FVC suggesting that treatments to target pulmonary function may protect neuromuscular performance and extend whole-body exercise in COPD. We, therefore, tested whether combination long-acting β-agonist and muscarinic antagonist bronchodilator therapy (LAMA+LABA; Stiolto Respimat®) would ameliorate the decline in neuromuscular performance and increase endurance time during constant power cycling at 80% peak incremental power. Fourteen COPD patients (4 female; 64[58,72] years; FEV₁ 67[56,75]% predicted; median[25^th,75^th percentile]), participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial (NCT02845752). Pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise responses were assessed before and after 1 week of treatment, with 2 weeks washout between conditions. Performance fatigue was assessed using a ~4-second maximal isokinetic cycling effort at pre-exercise, isotime and intolerance. Isotime was the shorter exercise duration of the two treatment conditions. Significance was assessed using ANOVA with treatment as fixed factor and subject as random factor. FEV₁ was greater with LAMA+LABA vs. placebo (1.81[1.58,1.98] L vs 1.72[1.29,1.99] L; P=0.006), but IC at isotime, performance fatigue at isotime and constant power endurance time were not different between condition (each P>0.05). A modest (~95 mL) FEV₁ increase in following 1 week of combination LAMA+LABA treatment did not alleviate neuromuscular performance fatigue or enhance cycle exercise tolerance in mild to severe COPD patients with largely preserved "static" lung volumes.

Therapeutic Success in Swiss COPD Patients Receiving Dual Bronchodilation Therapy as COPD Maintenance Treatment

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often reduced by high symptom burden and frequent exacerbations. So far, data on therapeutic success in Swiss COPD patients receiving dual bronchodilation therapy as COPD maintenance treatment are limited. Data from a recently published, non-interventional study on clinical benefit after the start of combined tiotropium-olodaterol treatment were analyzed focusing on Swiss patients compared to the overall cohort including patients from various European countries. Demographic data on the changes in Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) for the assessment of HRQoL in correlation to symptoms and the number of exacerbations, as well as physician's global assessment (PGE), were evaluated 6 weeks after treatment start. In Switzerland (n = 61), significantly more patients had comorbidities and exacerbations but showed less symptoms compared to the overall cohort (n = 4639). HRQoL improved in both cohorts, with a negative correlation to symptom burden and number of exacerbations in the overall cohort. PGE scores improved after 6 weeks with a better general condition at baseline in Swiss patients (PGE score 4/5: 68.9% [Swiss cohort] vs. 49.0% [overall cohort]. Despite significant differences regarding the presence of symptoms and exacerbations, therapeutic success was similar in both patient groups. Highly symptomatic patients benefited mostly from tiotropium-olodaterol treatment.

Exercise capacity and physical activity in COPD patients treated with a LAMA/LABA combination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Persistent airflow limitation and dyspnoea may reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients exercise capacity and physical activity, undermining their physical status and quality of life. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists and long-acting beta-2 agonists (LAMA/LABA) combinations are amongst moderate-to-severe COPD recommended treatments. This article analyses LAMA/LABA combinations effect on COPD patients exercise capacity and physical activity outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials comparing LAMA/LABA combinations against monotherapy or placebo was conducted.

RESULTS

Seventeen articles were identified (N = 4041 patients). In endurance shuttle walk test and constant work rate cycle ergometry, LAMA/LABA combinations obtained better results than placebo, but not monotherapy, whereas in 6-min walking test, results favoured LAMA/LABA over monotherapy (four studies), but not over placebo (one study). Moreover, LAMA/LABA combinations obtained better results than placebo in number of steps per day, reduction in percentage of inactive patients and daily activity-related energy expenditure, and better than monotherapy when measuring time spent on ≥ 1.0-1.5, ≥ 2.0 and ≥ 3.0 metabolic equivalents of task activities.

CONCLUSIONS

LAMA/LABA combinations in COPD patients provided better results than monotherapy or placebo in most exercise capacity and physical activity outcomes.

Endurance Time During Constant Work Rate Cycle Ergometry in COPD: Development of an Integrated Database From Interventional Studies

Introduction

The COPD Biomarkers Qualification Consortium (CBQC) was formed under COPD Foundation management, with the goal of qualifying biomarkers and clinical outcome assessments through established regulatory processes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Within CBQC, a working group evaluated opportunities for qualification of an exercise endurance measure. In a recent publication (Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2022; 9[2]:252-265), we described a conceptual framework establishing exercise endurance's direct relationship to an individual with COPD's experience of physical functioning in daily life, and that increase in exercise endurance is a patient-centered, meaningful treatment benefit. We further proposed endurance time during constant work rate cycle ergometery (CWRCE) as a useful efficacy endpoint in clinical therapeutic intervention trials. In this current publication, we describe the process of assembling an integrated database of endurance time responses to interventions in COPD.

Methods

We sought participant-level data from published studies incorporating CWRCE as an outcome measure. A literature search screened 2993 publications and identified 553 studies for assessment. Two interventions had sufficient data across studies to warrant data extraction: bronchodilators and rehabilitative exercise training. Investigators were contacted and requested to provide participant-by-participant data from their published studies.

Results

The final dataset included data from 8 bronchodilator studies (2166) participants and 15 exercise training studies (3488 participants). The database includes 71 variables per participant, comprising demographic, pulmonary function, and detailed physiologic response data. This paper provides a detailed description of the analysis population, while analysis supporting the validation/qualification process and addressing other scientific questions will be described in subsequent publications.

Survival impact of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may coexist with lung cancer, but the impact on prognosis is uncertain. Moreover, it is unclear whether pharmacological treatment for COPD improves the patient's prognosis. We retrospectively investigated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received chemotherapy at Kyoto University Hospital. Coexisting COPD was diagnosed by spirometry, and the association between pharmacological treatment for COPD and overall survival (OS) was assessed. Of the 550 patients who underwent chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC between 2007 and 2014, 347 patients who underwent spirometry were analyzed. Coexisting COPD was revealed in 103 patients (COPD group). The median OS was shorter in the COPD group than the non-COPD group (10.6 vs. 16.8 months). Thirty-seven patients had received COPD treatment, and they had a significantly longer median OS than those without treatment (16.7 vs. 8.2 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed the positive prognostic impact of COPD treatment. Additional validation analysis revealed similar results in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Coexisting COPD had a significant association with poor prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients if they did not have pharmacological treatment for COPD. Treatment for coexisting COPD has the potential to salvage the prognosis.

A new protocol for exercise testing in COPD; improved prediction algorithm for WMAX and validation of the endurance test in a placebo-controlled double bronchodilator study

Background:

Two new protocols have been developed for bicycle exercise testing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an individualized cardiopulmonary exercise test (ICPET) and subsequent customized endurance test (CET), which generate less interindividual spread in endurance time compared with the standard endurance test. Main objectives of this study were to improve the prediction algorithm for W_MAX for the ICPET and validate the CET by examining treatment effects on exercise performance of indacaterol/glycopyrronium (IND/GLY) compared with placebo.

Methods:

COPD patients, with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) 40–80% predicted, were recruited. Pooled baseline data from two previous studies (n = 38) were used for the development of an improved W_MAX prediction algorithm. Additional COPD patients (n = 14) were recruited and performed the ICPET, using the new prediction formula at visit 1. Prior to the CET at visits 2 and 3, they were randomized to a single dose of IND/GLY (110/50 µg) or placebo.

Results:

The improved multiple regression algorithm for W_MAX includes diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), FEV₁, sex, age and height and correlated to measured W_MAX (R² = 0.89 and slope = 0.89). Treatment with IND/GLY showed improvement in endurance time versus placebo, mean 113 s [95% confidence interval (CI): 6–220], p = 0.037, with more prominent effect in patients with FEV₁ < 70% predicted.

Conclusion:

The two new protocols for ICPET (including the new improved algorithm) and CET were retested with consistent results. In addition, the CET showed a significant and clinically relevant prolongation of endurance time for IND/GLY versus placebo in a small number of patients.

Targeting exertional breathlessness to improve physical activity: the role of primary care

Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By working together with patients to target exertional breathlessness and increase physical activity, PCPs have an important role to play, early in the disease course, in improving patient outcomes in both the short and long term. In this article, we consider how physical activity affects disease progression from the PCP perspective. We discuss the role of pharmacological therapy, the importance of an holistic approach and the role of PCPs in assessing and promoting physical activity. The complexity and heterogeneity of COPD make it a challenging disease to treat. Patients' avoidance of activity, and subsequent decline in capacity to perform it, further impacts the management of the disease. Improving patient tolerance of physical activity, increasing participation in daily activities and helping patients to remain active are clear goals of COPD management. These may require an holistic approach to management, including pulmonary rehabilitation and psychological programmes in parallel with bronchodilation therapy, in order to address both physiological and behavioural factors. PCPs have an important role to optimise therapy, set goals and communicate the importance of maintaining physical activity to their patients. In addition, optimal treatment that addresses activity-related breathlessness can help prevent the downward spiral of inactivity and get patients moving again, to improve their overall health and long-term prognosis.

Swiss Experience in Therapy With Dual Bronchodilation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Relation to Self-Reported Physical Functionality

Background

Medical therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually includes inhaled dual bronchodilation leading not only to an improvement in symptoms but also to an increase in physical performance. However, it remains unknown whether responder rates to dual bronchodilation differ between the Swiss subgroup in comparison to participants of other European countries.

Methods

The non-interventional OTIVACTO trial investigated changes in self-reported physical functioning in COPD patients treated with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg fixed dose combination for 6 weeks. The cut-off between responder and non-responder was defined as a minimum increase of 10 points using the 10-question physical functioning questionnaire (PF-10) score. We searched for patterns of the responder patient group and compared the results of the whole dataset with the subgroup of Swiss participants.

Results

Compared to the total cohort (n = 7,608), the Swiss participants (n = 94) were predominantly > 65 years of age and had significantly more comorbidities. There were no significant differences according to COPD stage, smoking status, exacerbation rate in the last 12 months and modified Medical Research Council questionnaire (mMRC) score between the total cohort and the Swiss collective. There were no significant differences between the Swiss subgroup and the total cohort with regard to response to the medication in the PF-10 score. In the intragroup comparison, patients with high mMRC score showed significantly higher values in the PF-10 in both groups. The number of exacerbations had no influence on the PF-10 score in the Swiss subgroup but in the total cohort.

Conclusion

In terms of age and number of comorbidities, significant differences were found between the overall patient population and the Swiss participants, having no influence on the success of the medication. The patients suffering from increased dyspnea benefited most from tiotropium/olodaterol treatment (Clinical Trials Registry NCT02720757).

Health and functional status of tiotropium/olodaterol-treated patients with COPD: results from the AERIAL® non-interventional study

Patients with COPD often have reduced physical activity, which can impair health status. Real-world data can provide valuable information on the health and functional status of patients with COPD treated with tiotropium/olodaterol.  AERIAL® (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03165045) was a German, non-interventional study of patients with COPD receiving treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol under real-world conditions for ∼6 weeks. The primary end-point was the proportion of patients achieving a decrease of ≥0.4 points in Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) score. The CCQ-4 subdomain was used to assess functional status, and the Physician's Global Evaluation (PGE) scale was used to assess the patients' general condition. Safety was assessed, as well as patient satisfaction and willingness to continue treatment.  Out of 1351 screened patients, 1322 were treated and 1140 comprised the full analysis set. The primary end-point was met: 66.3% of patients achieved a ≥0.4-point decrease in overall CCQ score (mean±sd decrease 0.78±0.95). Mean±sd decreases in CCQ symptoms and functional state subdomains were 0.84±1.06 and 0.75±1.05 points, respectively. PGE scores improved. One fatality (not treatment-related) and 23 drug-related adverse events were recorded, most commonly nausea and vertigo. >85% of patients were satisfied/very satisfied with tiotropium/olodaterol overall and with the Respimat® device, both in terms of inhalation and handling. Most patients (95.2%) expressed willingness to continue treatment.  Patients with COPD treated with tiotropium/olodaterol via Respimat® in routine clinical practice had clinically relevant improvements in health and functional status compared with baseline.

Future concepts in bronchodilation for COPD: dual- versus monotherapy

Most patients with COPD are recommended to initiate maintenance therapy with a single long-acting bronchodilator, such as a long-acting muscarinic antagonist or long-acting β₂-agonist. However, many patients receiving mono-bronchodilation continue to experience high symptom burden, suggesting that patients are frequently not receiving optimal treatment. Treatment goals for COPD are often broad and not individually tailored, making initial treatment response assessments difficult. A personalised approach to initial maintenance therapy, based upon an individual's symptom burden and exacerbation risk, may be more appropriate.An alternative approach would be to maximise bronchodilation early in the disease course of all patients with COPD. Evidence suggests that dual bronchodilation has greater and consistent efficacy for lung function and symptoms than mono-bronchodilation, whilst potentially reducing the risk of exacerbations and disease deterioration, with a similar safety profile to mono-bronchodilators. Improvements in lung function and symptoms between dual- and mono-bronchodilation have also been demonstrated in maintenance-naïve patients, who are most likely to resemble those at first presentation in a clinical setting. Despite promising results, there are several evidence gaps that need to be addressed to allow decision makers to evaluate the merits of a widespread earlier introduction of dual bronchodilation.

Effects of cigarette smoke exposure on pulmonary physiology, muscle strength and exercise capacity in a retrospective cohort with 30,000 subjects

BACKGROUND

The effects of long-term cigarette smoke exposure on pulmonary physiology and how those effects lead to reduced exercise capacity are not well established.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the spirometry, single-breath gas transfer (DLCO), peripheral muscle strength, and maximum exercise capacity data in patients referred to McMaster University Medical Centre for cardiopulmonary exercise testing between 2000 and 2012.

RESULTS

29,441 subjects underwent CPET and had a recorded smoking history [58% male, mean age 51.1 years (S.D.±19.6), BMI 27.4 kg/m2(±5.8)]. 7081 (24%) were current or former smokers and were divided into 4 categories by packs years (mean ±S.D.): <10 (5.8±3.3), 10-20 (17.1±2.9), 20-30 (27.1±2.8), 30-40 (37.3±2.8), and >40 (53.9±12.8). Patients with greater cigarette smoke exposure had lower expiratory flow rates (FEV1, FEF50, FEF75, PEFR), DLCO, and maximum power output (MPO) during exercise. There was no association between smoke exposure and muscle strength. Modeling MPO (kpm/min) output as a function of demographic and physiologic variables showed that the data are well explained by muscle strength (kg), FEV1 (L), and DLCO (mmHg/min/mL) in similar magnitude (MPO = 42.7*Quads0.34*FEV10.34 * DLCO0.43; r = 0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term cigarette smoke exposure is associated with small airway narrowing and impaired diffusion capacity but not with peripheral muscle weakness. The effects of smoking, age, and gender on maximum power output are mediated by reductions in FEV1, muscle strength and DLCO. Exercise capacity in smokers may benefit from therapies targeting all 3 variables.

Reducing and managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations with tiotropium + olodaterol

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review clinical evidence supporting the use of fixed-dose combination of tiotropium and olodaterol, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and a long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA), respectively, as the initial and follow-up treatment choice in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as per Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2020 recommendations-the impact of this treatment strategy on the reduction in the risk of exacerbations-and the importance of early therapeutic interventions.

METHODS

For this narrative review, the available literature was searched to identify studies including patients with COPD receiving tiotropium and olodaterol as either monotherapy or combination therapy and studies including patients with COPD receiving inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in addition to long-acting bronchodilators. Relevant studies were included in the review.

RESULTS

Patients with COPD are often prescribed ICS therapy, which, when used over a long term, can be associated with local and systemic adverse effects. The GOLD 2020 report recommends dual bronchodilator therapy as both an initial and follow-up treatment option. A LABA + LAMA combination is mechanistically synergistic, and cumulative evidence surrounding the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination of tiotropium and olodaterol supports therapeutic advantages over monotherapy in most patients with COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

The early stages of COPD may represent a "window of therapeutic opportunity" during which initiation of tiotropium and olodaterol dual bronchodilator therapy may improve lung function and quality of life and reduce exacerbations in patients with COPD.

Effects of Tiotropium/Olodaterol on Activity-Related Breathlessness, Exercise Endurance and Physical Activity in Patients with COPD: Narrative Review with Meta-/Pooled Analyses

Abstract

One of the most debilitating symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is breathlessness, which leads to avoidance of physical activities in daily living and hastens clinical deterioration. Treatment of patients with COPD with inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA) combination therapy improves airflow limitation, reduces breathlessness compared with LAMA or LABA monotherapies, and improves health status and quality of life. A large clinical trial programme focusing on the effects of tiotropium/olodaterol combination therapy demonstrated that this LAMA/LABA combination improves lung function and reduces hyperinflation (assessed by serial inspiratory capacity measurements) compared with either tiotropium alone or placebo in patients with COPD. Tiotropium/olodaterol also increases exercise endurance capacity and improves patient perception of the intensity of breathlessness compared with placebo. In this narrative review, we focus on the relationship between improving symptoms during activity, the ability to remain active in daily life and how this may impact quality of life. We consider the benefits of therapy optimisation by means of dual bronchodilation with tiotropium/olodaterol, and present new data from meta-analyses/pooled analyses showing that tiotropium/olodaterol improves inspiratory capacity compared with placebo and tiotropium and improves exercise endurance time compared with placebo after 6 weeks of treatment. We also discuss the importance of taking a holistic approach to improving physical activity, including pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise programmes in parallel with bronchodilator therapy and psychological programmes to support behaviour change.

Graphic Abstract

Lung Deposition Using the Respimat® Soft Mist™ Inhaler Mono and Fixed-Dose Combination Therapies: An In Vitro/In Silico Analysis

Tiotropium and olodaterol are mainstay treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and yield important clinical improvements, especially when used in fixed-dose combination. Whilst previous studies have shown consistent delivery of tiotropium to the lungs with the Respimat^® inhaler, no such study has been carried out for olodaterol or the components of their fixed-dose combination (TIO/OLO). Combining in vitro and in silico models, we measured the amount of drug retained in the mouth-throat area, entering the trachea and reaching the lung periphery. We applied a hybrid deposition model that considered the experimentally determined output of an Alberta throat model (in vitro - dose to lung) combined with a computational fluid dynamic model of the lungs (in silico). Regardless of the COPD breathing pattern, ≥50% of the nominal dose of either tiotropium, olodaterol, or TIO and OLO in the fixed-dose combination reached the lung. Of the dose reaching the lungs, greater than 50% is deposited in the lung periphery (from generation 8 onwards). Our study demonstrated that aerosol delivery via the Respimat inhaler achieved high deposition deep into the lung periphery with all formulations evaluated.

Long-Acting Bronchodilators for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Which One(S), How, and When?

Long-acting bronchodilators represent the mainstay of maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This state-of-the-art review summarizes currently available data on the safety, efficacy, and clinical effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilators and describes their role in the management of COPD, as defined by current national and international guidelines. Data from extensive clinical trials and real-life studies have demonstrated that long-acting beta-2 agonists and long-acting muscarinic antagonists can safely reduce the frequency of exacerbations, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life, exercise tolerance, and lung function of patients with COPD. They are recommended as first-line maintenance treatment of COPD.

Stable Clinical Course of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in the Era of Double Bronchodilator Therapy: A Single Referral Center Experience

Despite clinical benefits of long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) double bronchodilator therapy, there has been limited evidence for treatment change from LAMA/LABA to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapy. This study aimed to assess the rate of ICS-containing therapy from LAMA/LABA and investigate the factors associated with ICS addition. Between October 2015 and March 2019, consecutive patients prescribed with a LAMA/LABA fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) therapy without ICS were retrospectively identified from a single-referral hospital. The primary outcome was addition of ICS. During LAMA/LABA FDCs therapy (median, 12.4 months), 47 (17.7%) out of 266 patients had ICS addition. Most patients maintained bronchodilators without addition of ICS at 12 (86.5%) or 24 (76.8%) months. Patients with dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 2) at baseline, previous ICS use, and exacerbation in the previous year were at a higher risk of ICS addition. Especially, exacerbation in the previous year and dyspnea were associated with the development of frequent exacerbations during LAMA/LABA FDCs therapy, which might have led to ICS addition. Double bronchodilator therapy could be well-maintained in stable COPD patients. However, patients with exacerbation in the previous year, dyspnea, and previous ICS use should be closely approached and monitored with initiation of LAMA/LABA FDCs therapy without ICS.

Effect of the expiratory positive airway pressure on dynamic hyperinflation and exercise capacity in patients with COPD: a meta-analysis

Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) is widely applicable, either as a strategy for pulmonary reexpansion, elimination of pulmonary secretion or to reduce hyperinflation. However, there is no consensus in the literature about the real benefits of EPAP in reducing dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and increasing exercise tolerance in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To systematically review the effects of EPAP application during the submaximal stress test on DH and exercise capacity in patients with COPD. This meta-analysis was performed from a systematic search in the PubMed, EMBASE, PeDRO, and Cochrane databases, as well as a manual search. Studies that evaluated the effect of positive expiratory pressure on DH, exercise capacity, sensation of dyspnea, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, sense of effort in lower limbs, and heart rate were included. GRADE was used to determine the quality of evidence for each outcome. Of the 2,227 localized studies, seven studies were included. The results show that EPAP did not change DH and reduced exercise tolerance in the constant load test. EPAP caused a reduction in respiratory rate after exercise (− 2.33 bpm; 95% CI: − 4.56 to − 0.10) (very low evidence) when using a pressure level of 5 cmH₂O. The other outcomes analyzed were not significantly altered by the use of EPAP. Our study demonstrates that the use of EPAP does not prevent the onset of DH and may reduce lower limb exercise capacity in patients with COPD. However, larger and higher-quality studies are needed to clarify the potential benefit of EPAP in this population.

Tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a review of clinical development

Background

Bronchodilators are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) monotherapy is recommended as initial treatment for Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) groups B, C, and D.

Main body

Tiotropium bromide was the first LAMA available for COPD in clinical practice and, because of its long duration of action, is administered once daily. Tiotropium was initially available as an inhalation powder delivered via a dry-powder inhaler (DPI). Later, tiotropium also became available as an inhalation spray delivered via a soft mist inhaler (SMI). The SMI was designed to overcome or minimize some of the issues associated with other inhaler types (eg, the need for strong inspiratory airflow with DPIs). Results of short- and long-term randomized, controlled clinical trials of tiotropium in patients with COPD indicated tiotropium was safe and significantly improved lung function, health-related quality of life, and exercise endurance, and reduced dyspnea, lung hyperinflation, exacerbations, and use of rescue medication compared with placebo or active comparators. These positive efficacy findings triggered the evaluation of tiotropium in fixed-dose combination with olodaterol (a long-acting β₂-agonist). In this review, we provide an overview of studies of tiotropium for the treatment of COPD, with a focus on pivotal studies.

Conclusion

Tiotropium is safe and efficacious as a long-term, once-daily LAMA for the maintenance treatment of COPD and for reducing COPD exacerbations. The SMI generates a low-velocity, long-duration aerosol spray with a high fine-particle fraction, which results in marked lung drug deposition. In addition, high inspiratory flow rates are not required.

Relieving exertional dyspnea during the 3-min constant speed shuttle test in patients with COPD with indacaterol/glycopyrronium versus tiotropium: the RED trial

Background:

Exertional dyspnea is a cardinal feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a major cause of activity limitation. Although dual bronchodilation is more effective than bronchodilator monotherapy at improving resting pulmonary function, it is unclear to which extent this translates into superior relief of exertional dyspnea.

Methods:

We conducted a randomized controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial comparing indacaterol 110 µg/glycopyrronium 50 µg once daily (OD) with tiotropium 50 µg OD in patients with moderate to severe COPD and resting hyperinflation (functional residual capacity >120% of predicted value). The primary outcome was Borg dyspnea score at the end of a 3-min constant speed shuttle test after 3 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in Borg dyspnea score after the first dose of study medication, expiratory flows and lung volumes. Statistical analysis was conducted using a cross-over analysis of variance model with repeated measurements.

Results:

A total of 50 patients with COPD and a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 54 ± 11% (mean ± SEM) predicted participated in the cross-over phase of the trial. Compared with baseline, there was a decrease in dyspnea after the first dose of medication with indacaterol/glycopyrronium [mean −1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.49 to −0.52] but not with tiotropium alone (mean −0.36, 95% CI −0.81 to 0.08). The reduction in dyspnea after the first dose was statistically significant between the two treatments (mean difference of −0.64, 95% CI −1.11 to −0.17). Despite indacaterol/glycopyrronium providing further bronchodilation and lung deflation throughout the trial, the reduction in dyspnea was not sustained at 3 weeks of treatment (mean between-treatment difference at 3 weeks of 0.09, 95% CI −0.44 to 0.61).

Conclusion:

In comparison with bronchodilator monotherapy, indacaterol/glycopyrronium provided greater immediate exertional dyspnea relief, although this difference was not sustained after 3 weeks of therapy despite evidence of further bronchodilation and lung deflation.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Physical Functioning in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treated with Tiotropium/Olodaterol Respimat in Routine Clinical Practice in Italy

Introduction

Clinical studies have shown significant improvements in exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are treated with a tiotropium/olodaterol fixed-dose combination (FDC). However, the effects of this treatment, which is administered in a single device, on physical functioning in a real-life setting of patients with COPD had not been fully determined.

Methods

An open-label, observational study was conducted in 309 patients with COPD from 29 sites across Italy who received tiotropium/olodaterol FDC for 6 weeks. Physical functioning was evaluated using the Physical Functioning Questionnaire (PF-10). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with therapeutic success, defined as a ten-point increase in the PF-10 score from the baseline visit. Secondary endpoints were absolute changes in PF-10 score from baseline visit, the patient’s general condition assessed by the Physician’s Global Evaluation (PGE) score, and patient satisfaction with treatment, inhaling and handling of the device.

Results

According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) multimodality assessment, most patients were allocated to groups B (44.4%) and D (24.5%). Comorbidities were present in 73.9% of the patients. The primary endpoint was reached in more than half of the patients (52.5%), especially in groups B and D of GOLD. Patients’ satisfaction with treatment, inhaling and handling of device was high, with a range of more than 86% to more than 89%, and very high in both groups B and D. The rates of drug-related adverse events were very low.

Conclusions

This real-life study showed that the tiotropium/olodaterol FDC treatment delivered via the Respimat device improves physical functioning and general patients’ condition and is associated with a high degree of satisfaction and very low rates of drug-related adverse events, regardless of the group they belong to and their comorbidities.

Clinical Trial ID

NCT03003494.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s41030-020-00122-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Metronome-Paced Incremental Hyperventilation May Predict Exercise Tolerance and Dyspnea as a Surrogate for Dynamic Lung Hyperinflation During Exercise

Background

Dynamic lung hyperinflation (DLH) has been evaluated based on decreased inspiratory capacity (IC) during exercise load. However, this is not routinely done in clinical practice. We have developed a convenient method of metronome-paced incremental hyperventilation (MPIH) and reported its usefulness. In the present study, we compared these two methods for evaluating DLH and examined whether our MPIH method can be used to predict DLH during exercise.

Methods

DLH was measured by MPIH and constant load exercise (CLE) in 35 patients with stable COPD. DLH was defined as the most decreased IC (IC_lowest) and the most decreases in IC from IC at rest (-IC_lowest), and we compared between these two methods.

Results

The IC_lowest in CLE and the -IC_lowest in MPIH were significantly lower in emphysema-dominant COPD than in emphysema-nondominant COPD. Both IC_lowest and -IC_lowest showed significant correlations between the two methods (r = 0.67, p < 0.01 and r = 0.44, p < 0.01, respectively). The endurance time of CLE was significantly correlated with IC_lowest following MPIH (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) but not with that obtained by the CLE method. Furthermore, the IC_lowest of MPIH was more significantly correlated with endurance time in emphysema-dominant COPD. Weak but significant correlations between the -IC_lowest obtained by each method and maximum modified Borg scale were observed (MPIH: r = 0.38, p = 0.02; CLE: r = 0.37, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The MPIH method may be a convenient method to predict exercise tolerance and dyspnea as a clinically useful synergic screening surrogate for DLH during exercise.

Adding a Second Bronchodilator in COPD: A Meta-Analysis on the Risk of Specific Cardiovascular Serious Adverse Events of Tiotropium/Olodaterol Fixed-Dose Combination

Dual bronchodilation therapy represents the cornerstone for the treatment of COPD. A large retrospective study reports that adding a second long-acting bronchodilator in patients with COPD significantly increases the risk of heart failure. Nevertheless, retrospective studies are characterized by limitations including misdiagnosis and inaccuracy of recordkeeping. This study aimed to ascertain whether tiotropium/olodaterol (T/O) 5/5 μg fixed-dose combination (FDC) may modulate the risk of main cardiovascular outcomes in COPD patients enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis (CRD42017070100) was performed by selecting RCTs reporting raw data from the ClinicalTrials.gov database concerning the impact of T/O 5/5 µg FDC vs. monocomponents on the occurrence of specific cardiovascular serious adverse events: arrhythmia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Data were reported as relative risk and 95% Confidence Interval, and the risk of publication bias assessed via Egger's test. Eighty six full text articles were identified, and 10 RCTs published in 7 studies between 2015 and 2018 were included into the analysis. Data obtained from 12,690 COPD patients (44.47% T/O FDC, 55.53% monocomponents) were extracted. T/O 5/5 μg FDCs did not significantly modulate (p-value > 0.05) the risk of arrhythmia (1.02, 0.55 - 1.92), heart failure (0.88, 0.41 - 1.92), myocardial infarction (1.15, 0.70 - 1.87), and stroke (0.98, 0.44 - 2.16) vs. monocomponents. No significant publication bias affected the effect estimates of this meta-analysis. The results of this quantitative synthesis indicate that dual bronchodilation with T/O 5/5 μg FDC is characterized by an acceptable cardiovascular safety profile in COPD patients.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An update on its clinical value and applications

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a debilitating disorder, characterized by airflow limitation, exercise impairment, reduced functional capacity and significant systemic comorbidity, which complicates the course of the disease. The critical inspiratory constraint to tidal volume expansion during exercise (that may be further complicated by the presence of dynamic hyperinflation), abnormalities in oxygen transportation and gas exchange abnormalities are the major pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise intolerance in COPD patients, and thus, exercise testing has been traditionally used for the functional evaluation of these patients. Compared to various laboratory and field exercise tests, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a thorough assessment of exercise physiology, involving the integrative respiratory, cardiovascular, muscle and metabolic responses to exercise. This review highlights the clinical utility of CPET in COPD patients, as it provides important information for the determination of the major factors that limit exercise among patients with several comorbidities, allows the assessment of the severity of dynamic hyperinflation, provides valuable prognostic information and can be used to evaluate the response to several therapeutic interventions.

The contribution of FEV1 and airflow limitation on the intensity of dyspnea and leg effort during exercise. Insights from a real-world cohort

RATIONALE

The effort required to cycle and breathe intensify as power increases during incremental exercise. It is currently unclear how changes in FEV1 in the presence or absence of airflow limitation) impacts the intensity of dyspnea and leg effort. This is clinically important as the improvement in FEV1 is often the target for improving dyspnea.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between dyspnea (D), leg effort, power (P), and FEV1 with and without airflow limitation using direct psychophysical scaling performed during incremental exercise testing to symptom limited capacity.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients over the age of 35 referred for cardio-pulmonary exercise testing at McMaster University Medical Centre from 1988-2012.The modified Borg scale was used to measure dyspnea throughout incremental exercise testing.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

38,788 patients were included in the analysis [Mean Age 58.6 years (SD ±11.8), Males 61%, BMI 28.1 kg/m2 (SD ±5.1), FEV1 was 2.7 L (SD ±0.85), 95% predicted (SD ±20.4), FVC 3.4 L (SD ± 1.0), 94% predicted (SD ±17.0)], and 10.9% had airflow limitation (AL, FEV1 /FVC < 70%). In a nonlinear regression analysis, the intensity of dyspnea increased in a positively accelerating manner with power and as the FEV1 % predicted decreased: Dyspnea = 0.06 * Power1.03  * FEV1 %Pred-0.66 (r = .63). The intensity of leg effort increased with power and declining quadricep strength and FEV1% predicted: Leg Effort = 0.06 * Power1.22  * Quad-0.56 *FEV1 %Pred-0.39 (r = .73). There was no independent effect of AL on dyspnea of leg effort.

CONCLUSION

Power, quadriceps strength and FEV1 are the dominant factors contributing to dyspnea and leg effort, irrespective of the degree of airflow limitation.

Comparative measurement properties of constant work rate cycling and the endurance shuttle walking test in COPD: the TORRACTO® clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Exercise tolerance is an important endpoint in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical trials. Little is known about the comparative measurement properties of constant work rate cycle ergometry (CWRCE) and the endurance shuttle walking test (ESWT). The objective of this sub-analysis of the TORRACTO® study was to directly compare the endurance measurement properties of CWRCE and ESWT in patients with COPD in a multicentre, multinational setting. We predicted that both tests would be similarly reliable, but that the ESWT would be more responsive to bronchodilation than CWRCE.

METHODS

This analysis included 151 patients who performed CWRCE and ESWT at baseline and week 6 after receiving once-daily placebo, tiotropium/olodaterol (T/O) 2.5/5 μg or T/O 5/5 μg. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing their respective performance at baseline and week 6 in the placebo group. Responsiveness to bronchodilation was assessed by comparing endurance time at week 6 with T/O with baseline values and placebo. The locus of symptom limitation and end-exercise Borg scales for breathing and leg discomfort for both tests were also analysed.

RESULTS

The intraclass correlation coefficients for CWRCE and ESWT were 0.56 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.71] and 0.75 (95% CI 0.63-0.84). More patients were limited by breathing discomfort during the ESWT than during CWRCE, whereas more patients were limited by leg discomfort or breathing/leg discomfort during CWRCE than the ESWT (p <0.0001). Both tests were responsive to bronchodilator treatment: there was a 19% increase in endurance time from baseline at week 6 (p = 0.0006) assessed with CWRCE, and a 20% increase in endurance time assessed with ESWT (p = 0.0013).

CONCLUSIONS

Both exercise tests performed well in a multicentre clinical trial. Although the locus of symptom limitation differed between the two tests, both were reliable and responsive to bronchodilation. For future clinical trials, the choice of test should depend on the study requirements.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT01525615. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Improvement In Self-Reported Physical Functioning With Tiotropium/Olodaterol In Central And Eastern European COPD Patients

Background

Reduced physical activity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD. Studies suggest that treatment with the long-acting muscarinic antagonist tiotropium and the long-acting β₂-agonist olodaterol increases exercise capacity. This study assessed the effects of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of tiotropium/olodaterol (delivered via Respimat^®) on physical functioning in patients with stable COPD in a “real-world setting”.

Methods

An international, open-label, single-arm, non-interventional study conducted in nine countries measuring changes in self-reported physical functioning in COPD patients treated with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg FDC for approximately 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was therapeutic success, defined as a minimum 10-point increase in the 10-question Physical Functioning Questionnaire (PF-10) score. Secondary endpoints included absolute change in PF-10 from Visit 1 to Visit 2, patient general condition (measured by Physician’s Global Evaluation score) and patient satisfaction with the treatment and device (assessed by Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire at the end of the study period).

Results

Therapeutic success was observed in 67.8% of 7218 patients (95% CI 66.7, 68.8) in the final analysis set after approximately 6 weeks of treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol. Mean change in PF-10 score between Visit 1 and Visit 2 was 16.6 points (95% CI 16.2, 17.0). Therapeutic success was 64.3% (95% CI 63.0–65.6%) in patients with infrequent (≤1) and 76.1% (95% CI 74.3–77.9%) in patients with frequent (≥2) exacerbations (p<0.0001). Patient general condition improved as indicated by an improvement in Physician’s Global Evaluation scores between visits. Most patients were very satisfied or satisfied with tiotropium/olodaterol treatment in general (81%), reported inhalation satisfaction (85%), and satisfactory handling of the device (84%). 1.3% of patients reported an investigator-defined drug-related adverse event.

Conclusion

Treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol led to an improvement in self-reported physical functioning in patients with COPD.

Behavioural interventions targeting physical activity improve psychocognitive outcomes in COPD

This study explored the impact of a self-management behaviour modification (SMBM) programme with/without bronchodilators and with/without exercise training (ExT) to improve daily physical activity on psychological and cognitive outcomes in COPD patients as a secondary analysis of the PHYSACTO trial. A 12-week, four-group, randomised, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of SMBM in addition to tiotropium 5 µg, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg plus ExT, or placebo was conducted in 304 patients. Outcomes included anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A), depression (HADS-D and Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9) and cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)). All outcomes showed statistically and clinically significant improvements after 12 weeks independent of treatment group. However, greater improvements in HADS-A and MoCA were seen in patients who exhibited greater increases in physical activity and exercise capacity, respectively, whereas greater improvements in HADS-D and PHQ-9 were seen in patients who exhibited increases in either physical activity or exercise capacity. The results indicate that SMBM with/without bronchodilators or ExT was associated with improved psychological and cognitive functioning. Anxiety reduced with increased physical activity, cognitive function improved with increased exercise capacity, and depression reduced with increases in either physical activity or exercise capacity. Interventions that increase daily physical activity or exercise capacity may improve psychological and cognitive outcomes in COPD.

Low resting diffusion capacity, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The mechanisms linking reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DlCO) to dyspnea and exercise intolerance across the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continuum are poorly understood. COPD progression generally involves both DlCO decline and worsening respiratory mechanics, and their relative contribution to dyspnea has not been determined. In a retrospective analysis of 300 COPD patients who completed symptom-limited incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests, we tested the association between peak oxygen-uptake (V̇o2), DlCO, and other resting physiological measures. Then, we stratified the sample into tertiles of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and inspiratory capacity (IC) and compared dyspnea ratings, pulmonary gas exchange, and respiratory mechanics during exercise in groups with normal and low DlCO [i.e., <lower limit of normal (LLN)] using Global Lung Function Initiative reference values. DlCO was associated with peak V̇o2 ( P = 0.006), peak work-rate ( P = 0.005), and dyspnea/V̇o2 slope ( P < 0.001) after adjustment for other independent variables (airway obstruction and hyperinflation). Within FEV1 and IC tertiles, peak V̇o2 and work rate were lower ( P < 0.05) in low versus normal DlCO groups. Across all tertiles, low DlCO groups had higher dyspnea ratings, greater ventilatory inefficiency and arterial oxygen desaturation, and showed greater mechanical volume constraints at a lower ventilation during exercise than the normal DlCO group (all P < 0.05). After accounting for baseline resting respiratory mechanical abnormalities, DlCO<LLN was consistently associated with greater dyspnea and poorer exercise performance compared with preserved DlCO. The higher dyspnea ratings and earlier exercise termination in low DlCO groups were linked to significantly greater pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities, higher ventilatory demand, and associated accelerated dynamic mechanical constraints.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study demonstrated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DlCO) less than the lower limit of normal had greater pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities, which resulted in higher ventilatory demand and greater dynamic mechanical constraints at lower ventilation during exercise. This, in turn, led to greater exertional dyspnea and exercise intolerance compared with patients with normal DlCO.

Diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Serbia: an expert group position statement

In recent years, several national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines have been issued. In Serbia, the burden of COPD is high and most of the patients are diagnosed at late stages. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy is poorly implemented in real-life practice, as many patients are still prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)-containing regimens and slow-release theophylline. In this document, we propose an algorithm for treating COPD patients in Serbia based on national experts’ opinion, taking into account global recommendations and recent findings from clinical trials that are tailored according to local needs. We identified four major components of COPD treatment based on country specifics: active case finding and early diagnosis in high-risk population, therapeutic algorithm for initiation and escalation of therapy that is simple and easy to use in real-life practice, de-escalation of ICS in low-risk non-exacerbators, and individual choice of inhaler device based on patients' ability and preferences. With this approach we aim to facilitate implementation of the recommendation, initiate the treatment in early stages, improve cost-effectiveness, reduce possible side effects, and ensure efficient treatment.

Tiotropium/Olodaterol: A Review in COPD

Tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto® Respimat®; Spiolto® Respimat®) is an inhaled fixed-dose combination of the long-acting muscarinic antagonist tiotropium bromide (hereafter referred to as tiotropium) and the long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist olodaterol. It is available in several countries, including the USA, Japan, China and those of the EU, where it is indicated for the long-term maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The efficacy of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg/day in patients with COPD was evaluated in phase III or IV trials of 6-52 weeks' duration. Tiotropium/olodaterol improved lung function to a greater extent than each of its individual components or placebo in 12- and 52-week trials. In 6-week trials, tiotropium/olodaterol provided greater lung function benefits over 24 h than the individual components, placebo or twice-daily fluticasone propionate/salmeterol. Tiotropium/olodaterol also demonstrated beneficial effects on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), dyspnoea, inspiratory capacity, exercise endurance and the need for rescue medication. In an 8-week open-label trial, umeclidinium/vilanterol was superior to tiotropium/olodaterol for the primary endpoint of trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s. The tolerability profile of tiotropium/olodaterol was generally similar to that of the individual components. In conclusion, tiotropium/olodaterol provides a useful option for the maintenance treatment of COPD, with the convenience of once-daily administration via a single inhaler.

Efficacy of tiotropium and olodaterol combination therapy on dynamic lung hyperinflation evaluated by hyperventilation in COPD: an open-label, comparative before and after treatment study

Background: Dynamic lung hyperinflation (DLH) following metronome-paced incremental hyperventilation (MPIH) was reported to be useful for assessment of pathophysiological impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the effects of tiotropium and olodaterol on DLH following MPIH have not been reported.

Methods: Treatment consisted of administration of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg inhalation solution (2.5/2.5 μg per actuation) using a soft-mist inhaler once a day. We compared outcomes before and after 8 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was defined as a decrease in inspiratory capacity (IC) from rest by MPIH, which is an index of DLH. The secondary outcomes were COPD assessment test (CAT), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), and 6-min walking distance (6MWD). In addition, we investigated whether there were correlations between changes with treatment in DLH and FEV₁, 6MWD, and dyspnea.

Results: Thirty-three of the 38 registered patients completed this study. Most of these 33 patients had mild to moderate COPD. Decreasing IC by MPIH was significantly reduced by treatment for 8 weeks, with a mean change of about −0.11 to −0.13 mL (P <0.05). In addition, CAT score, FEV₁, and 6MWD improved with treatment (P <0.05). There were no significant correlations between changes in DLH, FEV₁, 6MWD, or dyspnea with treatment.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the combination of tiotropium and olodaterol is effective for improvement of DLH following hyperventilation.

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Dose Determination for a Fixed-Dose Drug Combination: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial for Tiotropium/Olodaterol Versus Tiotropium in Patients with COPD

Introduction

During the clinical development of a fixed-dose combination of drugs, it is best practice to conduct dose-finding studies to determine the optimal dose of each component. The aims of this phase II dose-finding study were to confirm the lung function benefit of adding olodaterol to tiotropium, describe the dose–response relationship of olodaterol in combination with tiotropium 5 μg, and compare it with the dose response of olodaterol monotherapy.

Methods

In this double-blind, parallel-group trial, patients were randomized to receive either tiotropium 5 μg or a fixed-dose combination of tiotropium 5 μg with olodaterol 2 μg, 5 μg, or 10 μg, delivered once daily via the Respimat^® for 4 weeks (NCT00696020). Patients had a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) ≥ 30 and < 80% of predicted normal. The primary endpoint was trough FEV₁ response (change from baseline) after 4 weeks. Secondary endpoints included FEV₁ and forced vital capacity (FVC) over 6 h after dosing.

Results

Compared with tiotropium 5 μg, mean (standard error) trough FEV₁ increased with the addition of olodaterol 2 μg by 0.024 L (0.027), olodaterol 5 μg by 0.033 L (0.027), and olodaterol 10 μg by 0.057 L (0.027). Statistically significant improvements in FEV₁ versus tiotropium were seen across all timepoints up to 6 h with all doses of tiotropium/olodaterol. Similar results were observed for FVC.

Conclusion

There was a benefit of tiotropium/olodaterol compared with tiotropium monotherapy in FEV₁ and FVC. There was a dose–response relationship for olodaterol on top of tiotropium for FEV₁ and FVC similar to the dose response previously seen for olodaterol monotherapy. These results, together with the results of a study investigating the dose response of tiotropium on top of olodaterol, helped to inform the dose selection for the phase III studies.

Funding

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH.

Once daily long-acting beta2-agonists and long-acting muscarinic antagonists in a combined inhaler versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition causing accumulation of mucus in the airways, cough, and breathlessness; the disease is progressive and is the fourth most common cause of death worldwide. Current treatment strategies for COPD are multi-modal and aim to reduce morbidity and mortality and increase patients' quality of life by slowing disease progression and preventing exacerbations. Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of a long-acting beta₂-agonist (LABA) plus a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) delivered via a single inhaler are approved by regulatory authorities in the USA, Europe, and Japan for the treatment of COPD. Several LABA/LAMA FDCs are available and recent meta-analyses have clarified their utility versus their mono-components in COPD. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of once-daily LABA/LAMA FDCs versus placebo will facilitate the comparison of different FDCs in future network meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the evidence for once-daily LABA/LAMA combinations (delivered in a single inhaler) versus placebo on clinically meaningful outcomes in patients with stable COPD.

SEARCH METHODS

We identified trials from Cochrane Airways' Specialised Register (CASR) and also conducted a search of the US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (apps.who.int/trialsearch). We searched CASR and trial registries from their inception to 3 December 2018; we imposed no restriction on language of publication.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included parallel-group and cross-over randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing once-daily LABA/LAMA FDC versus placebo. We included studies reported as full-text, those published as abstract only, and unpublished data. We excluded very short-term trials with a duration of less than 3 weeks. We included adults (≥ 40 years old) with a diagnosis of stable COPD. We included studies that allowed participants to continue using their ICS during the trial as long as the ICS was not part of the randomised treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the search results to determine included studies, extracted data on prespecified outcomes of interest, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; we resolved disagreements by discussion with a third review author. Where possible, we used a random-effects model to meta-analyse extracted data. We rated all outcomes using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system and presented results in 'Summary of findings' tables.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified and included 22 RCTs randomly assigning 8641 people with COPD to either once-daily LABA/LAMA FDC (6252 participants) or placebo (3819 participants); nine studies had a cross-over design. Studies had a duration of between three and 52 weeks (median 12 weeks). The mean age of participants across the included studies ranged from 59 to 65 years and in 21 of 22 studies, participants had GOLD stage II or III COPD. Concomitant inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use was permitted in all of the included studies (where stated); across the included studies, between 28% to 58% of participants were using ICS at baseline. Six studies evaluated the once-daily combination of IND/GLY (110/50 μg), seven studies evaluated TIO/OLO (2.5/5 or 5/5 μg), eight studies evaluated UMEC/VI (62.5/5, 125/25 or 500/25 μg) and one study evaluated ACD/FOR (200/6, 200/12 or 200/18 μg); all LABA/LAMA combinations were compared with placebo.The risk of bias was generally considered to be low or unknown (insufficient detail provided), with only one study per domain considered to have a high risk of bias except for the domain 'other bias' which was determined to be at high risk of bias in four studies (in three studies, disease severity was greater at baseline in participants receiving LABA/LAMA compared with participants receiving placebo, which would be expected to shift the treatment effect in favour of placebo).Compared to the placebo, the pooled results for the primary outcomes for the once-daily LABA/LAMA arm were as follows: all-cause mortality, OR 1.88 (95% CI 0.81 to 4.36, low-certainty evidence); all-cause serious adverse events (SAEs), OR 1.06 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.28, high-certainty evidence); acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), OR 0.53 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.78, moderate-certainty evidence); adjusted St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, MD -4.08 (95% CI -4.80 to -3.36, high-certainty evidence); proportion of SGRQ responders, OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.54 to 1.99). Compared with placebo, the pooled results for the secondary outcomes for the once-daily LABA/LAMA arm were as follows: adjusted trough forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), MD 0.20 L (95% CI 0.19 to 0.21, moderate-certainty evidence); adjusted peak FEV1, MD 0.31 L (95% CI 0.29 to 0.32, moderate-certainty evidence); and all-cause AEs, OR 0.95 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.04; high-certainty evidence). No studies reported data for the 6-minute walk test. The results were generally consistent across subgroups for different LABA/LAMA combinations and doses.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Compared with placebo, once-daily LABA/LAMA (either IND/GLY, UMEC/VI or TIO/OLO) via a combination inhaler is associated with a clinically significant improvement in lung function and health-related quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD; UMEC/VI appears to reduce the rate of exacerbations in this population. These conclusions are supported by moderate or high certainty evidence based on studies with an observation period of up to one year.

Dual bronchodilation with tiotropium/olodaterol further reduces activity-related breathlessness versus tiotropium alone in COPD

The 3-min constant speed shuttle test (CSST) was used to examine the effect of tiotropium/olodaterol compared with tiotropium at reducing activity-related breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).This was a randomised, double-blind, two-period crossover study including COPD patients with moderate to severe pulmonary impairment, lung hyperinflation at rest and a Mahler Baseline Dyspnoea Index <8. Patients received 6 weeks of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg and tiotropium 5 µg in a randomised order with a 3-week washout period. The speed for the 3-min CSST was determined for each patient such that an intensity of breathing discomfort ≥4 ("somewhat severe") on the modified Borg scale was reached at the end of a completed 3-min CSST.After 6 weeks, there was a decrease in the intensity of breathlessness (Borg dyspnoea score) at the end of the 3-min CSST from baseline with both tiotropium (mean -0.968, 95% CI -1.238- -0.698; n=100) and tiotropium/olodaterol (mean -1.325, 95% CI -1.594- -1.056; n=101). The decrease in breathlessness was statistically significantly greater with tiotropium/olodaterol versus tiotropium (treatment difference -0.357, 95% CI -0.661- -0.053; p=0.0217).Tiotropium/olodaterol reduced activity-related breathlessness more than tiotropium in dyspnoeic patients with moderate to severe COPD exhibiting lung hyperinflation.

Fixed-Dose Combinations of Long-Acting Bronchodilators for the Management of COPD: Global and Asian Perspectives

Maintenance bronchodilator therapy with long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) is the cornerstone treatment for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of LABA/LAMA are recommended for the majority of symptomatic COPD patients by global guidelines; regional guidelines such as the Japanese and Korean guidelines also provide similar recommendations for the use of LABA/LAMA FDCs. This review comprehensively describes the latest clinical evidence from key studies on the efficacy and safety of four approved LABA/LAMA fixed-dose combinations: indacaterol/glycopyrronium, vilanterol/umeclidinium, formoterol/aclidinium, and olodaterol/tiotropium. Additionally, in this review we describe the rationale behind the use of LABA/LAMA FDC therapy, key findings from the preclinical and clinical trial evaluation of respective LABA and LAMA monocomponents, and the efficacy and safety of LABA/LAMA FDCs. Special emphasis is placed on the clinical evidence for the monocomponents and LABA/LAMA FDCs from the Asian population. This detailed overview of the efficacy and safety of LABA/LAMA FDCs in global and Asian COPD patients is envisaged to provide a better understanding of the benefits of these therapies and to inform healthcare providers and patients on their appropriate use.Funding: Novartis Pharma K.K.

Longitudinal change of FEV1 and inspiratory capacity: clinical implication and relevance to exacerbation risk in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

FEV1 is the gold standard for assessment of COPD. We compared efficacy of FEV1, inspiratory capacity (IC), and IC to total lung capacity (TLC) ratio in the evaluation of COPD and their association with exacerbation.

METHODS

We analyzed the association of dyspnea severity, quality of life status, and lung function with lung function measurements and exacerbation risk in 982 patients enrolled in the Korea COPD Subgroup Registry and Subtype Research study. Exacerbation and longitudinal lung function change were evaluated in 3 years' follow-up.

RESULTS

The FEV1, IC, and IC to TLC ratio showed comparable negative correlations with dyspnea severity and quality of life status, and positive correlation with exercise capacity. In patients with >2 events/year, annual rate of change in FEV1 and IC tended to decline more rapidly in those with FEV1 <50% than in those with FEV1 >50% (-14.46±19.40 mL/year vs 12.29±9.24 mL/year, P=0.213; -4.75±17.28 mL/year vs -78.05±34.16 mL/year, P=0.056 for FEV1 and IC, respectively), without significance.

CONCLUSION

Longitudinal changes in IC and FEV1 were not significantly associated with exacerbation risk.

Pharmacologic Strategies for Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm with a Focus on Athletes

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is the transient narrowing of the airways during and after exercise that occurs in response to increased ventilation in susceptible individuals. It occurs across the age spectrum in patients with underlying asthma and can occur in athletes without baseline asthma. The inflammatory mechanisms underlying EIB in patients without asthma may be distinct from those underlying EIB in patients with asthma. This review summarizes mechanistic and clinical data that can guide the choice of chronic and acute pharmacologic therapies targeting control of EIB. Relevant regulations from the World Anti-Doping Agency are also discussed.

Effect of 12 weeks of once-daily tiotropium/olodaterol on exercise endurance during constant work-rate cycling and endurance shuttle walking in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background:

The TORRACTO^® study evaluated the effects of tiotropium/olodaterol versus placebo on endurance time during constant work-rate cycling and constant speed shuttle walking in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after 12 weeks of treatment.

Methods:

The effects of once-daily tiotropium/olodaterol (2.5/5 and 5/5 μg) on endurance time during constant work-rate cycle ergometry (CWRCE) after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment were compared with placebo in patients with COPD in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Endurance time during the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment was also evaluated in a subset of patients.

Results:

A total of 404 patients received treatment, with 165 participating in the ESWT substudy. A statistically significant improvement in endurance time during CWRCE was observed after 12 weeks (primary endpoint) with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg [14% (p = 0.02)] but not with tiotropium/olodaterol 2.5/5 µg [9% (p = 0.14)] versus placebo. In the ESWT substudy, a trend to improvement in endurance time during ESWT after 12 weeks (key secondary endpoint) was observed with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg [21% (p = 0.055)] and tiotropium/olodaterol 2.5/5 µg [21% (p = 0.056)] versus placebo.

Conclusion:

Tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 µg improved endurance time during cycle ergometry versus placebo, with a strong tendency to also improve walking endurance time.

[ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01525615.]

The once-daily fixed-dose combination of olodaterol and tiotropium in the management of COPD: current evidence and future prospects

Long-acting bronchodilators are the cornerstone of pharmacologic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Spiolto® or Stiolto® is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) containing two long-acting bronchodilators, the long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist tiotropium (TIO) and the long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist olodaterol (OLO), formulated in the Respimat® Soft Mist™ inhaler. A total of 13 large, multicentre studies of up to 52 weeks' duration have documented its efficacy in more than 15,000 patients with COPD. TIO/OLO 5/5 µg FDC significantly increases pulmonary function compared with placebo and its respective constituent mono-components TIO 5 µg and OLO 5 µg. TIO/OLO 5/5 µg also results in statistically and clinically significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes, such as dyspnoea, use of rescue medication, and health status. Addition of OLO 5 µg to TIO 5 µg reduces the rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations by approximately 10%. Compared with placebo and TIO 5 µg, TIO/OLO 5/5 µg significantly improves exercise capacity (e.g. endurance time) and physical activity, the latter increase being reached by a unique combination behavioural modification intervention, dual bronchodilatation and exercise training. Overall, the likelihood for patients to experience a clinically significant benefit is higher with TIO/OLO 5/5 µg than with its constituent mono-components, which usually yield smaller improvements which do not always reach statistical significance, compared with baseline or placebo. This supports the early introduction of TIO/OLO 5/5 µg in the management of patients with symptomatic COPD.

The relationship between steps of 6MWT and COPD severity: a cross-sectional study

Background and objective

The distance of 6-minute walk test (D6MWT) has been widely used in the assessment of functional status in patients with COPD, while very little attention has been paid to the role of steps of 6-minute walk test (S6MWT). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between S6MWT and other physiologic parameters of COPD.

Patients and methods

Seventy patients with stable COPD were enrolled consecutively in this cross-sectional study. Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS) and the single-breath diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DL_CO), were carried out at rest. Quality of life was assessed by health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires, including modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) and Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Questionnaire. Both steps and distance were measured in the following 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Results

Both S6MWT and D6MWT showed significant correlation with spirometry, IOS, DL_CO parameters and HRQoL questionnaires score. Both pre- and post-6MWT inspiratory capacity showed significant correlation with S6MWT (ρ=0.338, P=0.004; ρ=0.359, P=0.002, respectively), whereas did not correlate with D6MWT (ρ=0.145, P=0.230; ρ=0.160, P=0.189, respectively). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, mMRC grade, age and CAT score remained as significant predictors in the final model for D6MWT (adjusted R²=0.445, P<0.01). DL_CO and CAT score remained as significant predictors in the final model for S6MWT (adjusted R²=0.417, P<0.01).

Conclusion

S6MWT is efficient in the evaluation of functional status and quality of life in COPD and has significant correlation with various parameters indicating disease severity. Additionally, S6MWT might be better in predicting lung hyperinflation in COPD compared with D6MWT.

LABA/LAMA fixed-dose combinations in patients with COPD: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the current evidence for long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in the treatment of COPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials published in English up to September 2017 of LABA/LAMA FDCs vs LABA or LAMA or LABA/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) FDCs in COPD patients was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Outcomes including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) scores, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, exacerbations, exercise tolerance (endurance time [ET]), inspiratory capacity (IC), and rescue medication use were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 27 studies were included in the review. LABA/LAMA FDCs significantly improved lung function (FEV1) at 12 weeks compared with LABA or LAMA or LABA/ICS. These effects were maintained over time. Significant improvements with LABA/LAMA FDCs vs each evaluated comparator were also observed in TDI and SGRQ scores, even if significant differences between different LABA/LAMA FDCs were detected. Only the LABA/LAMA FDC indacaterol/glycopyrronium has shown superiority vs LAMA and LABA/ICS for reducing exacerbation rates, while olodaterol/tiotropium and indacaterol/glycopyrronium have been shown to improve ET and IC vs the active comparators. Rescue medication use was significantly reduced by LABA/LAMA FDCs vs the evaluated comparators. LABA/LAMA FDCs were safe, with no increase in the risk of adverse events with LABA/LAMA FDCs vs the monocomponents.

CONCLUSION

Evidence supporting the efficacy of LABA/LAMA FDCs for COPD is heterogeneous, particularly for TDI and SGRQ scores, exacerbation rates, ET, and IC. So far, indacaterol/glycopyrronium is the LABA/LAMA FDC that has the strongest evidence for superiority vs LABA, LAMA, and LABA/ICS FDCs across the evaluated outcomes. LABA/LAMA FDCs were safe; however, more data should be collected in a real-world setting to confirm their safety.

What Does the TOVITO Programme Tell Us about How We Can Manage COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients suffer from a significant burden of disease which impairs their quality of life, exercise capacity and lung function. They also suffer from acute worsening of disease, called exacerbations. The role of drug treatment in the management of COPD is aimed at improving lung function, quality of life and reducing the risk of exacerbations. Bronchodilator drugs are the mainstay of therapy and the tow classes, long acting beta2 agonists and long acting anti-muscarinics, are being combined together. The TOVITO programme of clinical research is a comprehensive and consistent set of studies investigating the role of Tiotropium and Olodaterol (Spiolto) on lung function, quality of life, exercise capacity and exacerbation frequency. The programme has included over 16 000 patients who have received the benefits of these two compounds when given together in a suitable inhaler. Safety data was collected with a focus on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The use of tiotropium/olodaterol combination resulted in significant gains in lung function, quality of life and exercise endurance. There was no difference between the arms in the Dynagito study which was designed to compare tiotropium/olodaterol combination with its constituent compounds. In all studies no safety concerns were raised. Tiotropium/Olodaterol (Spiolto) is an effective treatment for COPD with benefits to lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance.

New developments in optimizing bronchodilator treatment of COPD: a focus on glycopyrrolate/formoterol combination formulated by co-suspension delivery technology

COPD causes considerable health and economic burden worldwide, with incidence of the disease expected to continue to rise. Inhaled bronchodilators, such as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs), are central to the maintenance treatment of patients with COPD. Clinical studies have demonstrated that combined LAMA + LABA therapies improve efficacy while retaining a safety profile similar to LAMA or LABA alone. This has led to the development of several LAMA/LABA fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapies, which provide patients with the convenience of two active compounds in a single inhaler. GFF MDI (Bevespi Aerosphere®) is an FDC of glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate 18/9.6 µg formulated using innovative co-suspension delivery technology for administration via metered dose inhaler (MDI). GFF MDI was developed to make a treatment option available for patients who have a requirement or preference to use an MDI, rather than a dry powder or soft mist inhaler. Now that several LAMA/LABA FDCs have been approved for use in COPD, we review the impact of dual-bronchodilator treatment on COPD therapy and discuss recent clinical studies that are helping to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how LAMA/LABA FDCs can improve patient outcomes.

Safety of tiotropium/olodaterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: pooled analysis of three large, 52-week, randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

An extensive clinical trial program supports the efficacy and safety of tiotropium/olodaterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined the safety of tiotropium/olodaterol compared with tiotropium in a large population of patients, focusing on cardiovascular and respiratory events.

METHODS

Patients (n = 9942) who received once-daily tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg or tiotropium 5 μg (via Respimat^®) in TONADO 1 & 2 and DYNAGITO were included. The number of patients and exposure-adjusted rate of events are presented for adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), AEs leading to discontinuation, and cardiovascular and respiratory events.

FINDINGS

Fewer patients discontinued due to AEs with tiotropium/olodaterol (5.9%) versus tiotropium (7.9%; rate ratio [RR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-0.84). There was no significant difference in the incidence of AEs, SAEs, cardiovascular AEs or central nervous system vascular AEs between treatments. Incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were 2.11 per 100 patient-years with tiotropium/olodaterol and 2.22 with tiotropium (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.72-1.25), and incidences of fatal MACE (including death with undetermined cause) were 0.91 and 1.00 per 100 patient-years with tiotropium/olodaterol and tiotropium, respectively (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.60-1.37). Respiratory AEs were generally balanced between treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide robust evidence that the benefits of tiotropium/olodaterol versus tiotropium are not at the expense of an increased risk of safety events. The combination is a suitable option for patients with COPD, even in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials. gov (TONADO 1 and 2: NCT01431274, NCT01431287; DYNAGITO: NCT02296138).