Healthcare costs associated with initial maintenance therapy with fluticasone propionate 250 μg/salmeterol 50 μg combination versus anticholinergic bronchodilators in elderly US Medicare-eligible beneficiaries with COPD

Clinical and economic outcomes associated with the use of fluticasone propionate 250 mcg and salmeterol 50 mcg combination versus tiotropium bromide 18 mcg as initial maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in managed care

AIMS

To examine the clinical and economic outcomes associated with the use of long-acting bronchodilators for initial maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by analyzing health insurance claims data in the US.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational, matched cohort study used health insurance claims data (January 2008 to June 2013) to assess COPD-related outcomes for subjects aged ≥40 years. Subjects were assigned to a study cohort according to the first observed prescription fill for a long-acting bronchodilator (fluticasone propionate 250 mcg/salmeterol 50 mcg [FSC] or tiotropium bromide 18 mcg [TIO]). The analysis period for each subject comprised a 1-year pre-index date and 1-year post-index date. Primary outcome measure was total COPD-related costs per-patient per-year (PPPY) during the follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures included COPD-related exacerbations and the components of COPD-related costs.

RESULTS

Overall, 24,040 subjects were identified; the analysis sample consisted of 19,090 subjects (9,545 per cohort) with no significant differences between cohorts. Mean COPD-related total costs PPPY were numerically lower among the FSC cohort; however, the difference was not statistically significant ($2,224 [±4,108] vs $2,352 [±3,721], p = .057). There was no difference between cohorts for COPD-related medical costs (p = .894). COPD-related pharmacy costs were significantly, yet modestly, lower in the FSC cohort compared with the TIO cohort ($1,160 [±1,106] vs 1,275 [±1,110], p < .001). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate or number of exacerbations between the matched cohorts.

LIMITATIONS

While propensity scoring achieved balance in baseline characteristics, some residual confounding unobserved in the database may be present.

CONCLUSIONS

Few clinical and economic differences between subjects initiating maintenance therapy with FSC or TIO were observed.

Cost-effectiveness of umeclidinium/vilanterol combination therapy compared to tiotropium monotherapy among symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the UK

BACKGROUND

The cost-effectiveness of umeclidinium bromide-vilanterol (UMEC/VI) versus tiotropium monotherapy in the UK was assessed using a UMEC/VI treatment-specific economic model based on a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) disease-progression model.

METHODS

The model was implemented as a linked-equation model to estimate COPD progression and associated health service costs, and its impact on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and survival. Statistical risk equations for clinical endpoints and resource use were derived from the ECLIPSE and TORCH studies, respectively. For the selected timeframe (1-40 years) and probabilistic analysis, model outputs included disaggregated costs, total costs, exacerbations, life-years and QALYs gained, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

RESULTS

Random-effects meta-analysis of tiotropium comparator trials estimated treatment effect of UMEC/VI as 92.17 mL (95 % confidence interval: 61.52, 122.82) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. With this benefit, UMEC/VI resulted in an estimated annual exacerbation reduction of 0.04 exacerbations/patient and 0.36 life years gained compared to tiotropium over patient lifetime. With an additional 0.18 QALYs/patient and an additional lifetime cost of £372/patient at price parity, the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of UMEC/VI compared to tiotropium was £2088/QALY. This ICER increased to £17,541/QALY when price of UMEC/VI was increased to that of indacaterol plus tiotropium in separate inhalers. The ICER improved when model duration was reduced from patient lifetime to 1 or 5 years, or when treatment effect was assumed to last for 12 months following treatment initiation.

CONCLUSION

UMEC/VI can be considered a cost-effective alternative to tiotropium at a certain price.

The economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly: results from a systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a high prevalence condition with a significant clinical and economic burden. In elderly people, COPD is often associated with other chronic comorbidities (i.e. cardiovascular diseases), determining clinical complications and requiring frequent acute healthcare interventions. The aim of this article is to review the economic studies evaluating costs and healthcare resource utilization in elderly (≥ 65 years) COPD patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Sixteen of the initial 359 articles retrieved through our research strategy were found to include relevant cost information on elderly COPD patients or to evaluate the effect of older age on healthcare expenditure. Most studies were carried out in the United States and used administrative database claims to determine resource consumption and direct costs (attributable and not). Very few studies focused exclusively on elderly patients.

SUMMARY

Results showed a certain variability of cost estimations, mainly due to the different methodologies and adopted cost approach. However, we found a trend of direct cost growth in the elderly population, which can be explained by a more frequent use of acute healthcare services, especially for managing COPD exacerbations. These results cannot be considered definitive and new studies, targeting elderly people, are required in order to confirm these preliminary findings.

Epidemiology and management of common pulmonary diseases in older persons

Pulmonary disease prevalence increases with age and contributes to morbidity and mortality in older patients. Dyspnea in older patients is often ascribed to multiple etiologies such as medical comorbidities and deconditioning. Common pulmonary disorders are frequently overlooked as contributors to dyspnea in older patients. In addition to negative impacts on morbidity and mortality, quality of life is reduced in older patients with uncontrolled, undertreated pulmonary symptoms. The purpose of this review is to discuss the epidemiology of common pulmonary diseases, namely pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in older patients. We will review common clinical presentations for these diseases and highlight differences between younger and older patients. We will also briefly discuss risk factors, treatment, and mortality associated with these diseases. Finally, we will address the relationship between comorbidities, pulmonary symptoms, and quality of life in older patients with pulmonary diseases.

Clinical and economic outcomes for patients initiating fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination therapy (250/50 mcg) versus anticholinergics in a comorbid COPD/depression population

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with comorbid depression and anxiety. Managing COPD symptoms and exacerbations through use of appropriate and adequate pharmacotherapy in this population may result in better COPD-related outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study used administrative claims of patients aged 40 years and older with COPD and comorbid depression/anxiety identified from January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008. Patients were assigned to fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250/50 mcg combination (FSC) or anticholinergics (AC) based on their first (index) prescription. The risks of COPD exacerbations and healthcare utilization and costs were compared between cohorts during 1 year of follow-up.

Results

The adjusted risk of a COPD-related exacerbation during the 1-year follow-up period was 30% higher in the AC cohort (n = 2923) relative to the FSC cohort (n = 1078) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.56) after controlling for baseline differences in covariates. The risks of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits were 56% and 65% higher, respectively, in the AC cohort compared with the FSC cohort. The average number of COPD-related hospitalizations during the follow-up period was 46% higher for the AC cohort compared with the FSC cohort (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.09, P = 0.041). The savings from lower COPD-related medical costs ($692 vs $1042, P < 0.050) kept the COPD-related total costs during the follow-up period comparable to those in the AC cohort ($1659 vs $1677, P > 0.050) although the pharmacy costs were higher in the FSC cohort.

Conclusions

FSC compared with AC was associated with more favorable COPD-related outcomes and lower COPD-related utilization and medical costs among patients with COPD and comorbid anxiety/depression.

Cost trends among commercially insured and Medicare Advantage-insured patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 2006 through 2009

BACKGROUND

Few estimates of health care costs related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are available regarding commercially insured patients in the United States. The aims of this retrospective observational analysis of administrative data were to describe and compare health care resource use and costs related to COPD in the United States for patients with commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage with Part D benefits, and to assess cost trends over time.

METHODS

Patient-level and visit-level health care costs in the calendar years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 were assessed for patients with evidence of COPD. Generalized linear models adjusting for sex, age category, and geographic region were used to investigate cost trends over time for patients with Medicare or commercial insurance.

RESULTS

Medical costs, which ranged from an annual mean of US$2382 (Medicare 2007) to US$3339 (commercial 2009) per patient, comprised the majority of total costs in all years for patients with either type of insurance. COPD-related costs were less for Medicare than commercial cohorts. In the multivariate analysis, total costs increased by approximately 6% per year for commercial insurance patients (cost ratio 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.07; P < 0.001) and 5% per year for Medicare patients (cost ratio 1.05; 95% CI 1.03-1.07; P < 0.001). Costs for outpatient and emergency department visits increased significantly over time in both populations. Standard admission costs increased significantly for Medicare patients (cost ratio 1.03; 95% CI 1.00-1.05; P = 0.03), but not commercial patients, and costs for intensive care unit visits remained stable for both populations.

CONCLUSION

COPD imposed a substantial economic burden on patients and the health care system, with costs increasing significantly in both the Medicare and commercial populations.

Comparative cost-effectiveness of a fluticasone-propionate/salmeterol combination versus anticholinergics as initial maintenance therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE

Relative costs and utilization-related outcomes of a fluticasone propionate 250 μg + salmeterol 50 μg combination (FSC), tiotropium bromide, and ipratropium as initial maintenance therapy in COPD have not been compared in a commercially-insured population.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational cohort study used health care claims data from January 2004 to June 2009 from a large administrative database for patients aged ≥40 years with COPD. Time-to-first COPD-related health care event beginning 30 days following therapy initiation with FSC (n = 16,684), ipratropium alone or in fixed dose combination with albuterol (n = 14,449), or tiotropium (n = 12,659) was estimated using Cox proportional hazard models that controlled for differences in patient demographic characteristics, health care utilization, and comorbidities at baseline. Mean adjusted costs and numbers of COPD-related health care encounters and prescription medication fills were compared among patients with 12 months of follow-up (FSC, n = 12,595; ipratropium, n = 10,617; tiotropium, n = 9126).

RESULTS

With FSC as the reference, risk for a COPD-related hospitalization and/or emergency department visit was significantly higher for ipratropium (hazard ratio [HR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-1.79) and tiotropium (HR 1.29, CI 1.17-1.41). Mean adjusted 12-month COPD-related total health care costs were lower for FSC ($2068, standard deviation [SD] $1190) than for ipratropium ($2841, SD $1858) and tiotropium ($2408, SD $1511, both P <0.05). Mean number of COPD-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and outpatient visits associated with an oral corticosteroid or antibiotic were also lower for FSC than for ipratropium and tiotropium (all P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective "real-world" observational sample of COPD patients, initiating treatment with FSC was associated with significantly better clinical and economic outcomes compared with short- and long-acting anticholinergic therapy. Consistent with the goal of preventing and reducing exacerbations advocated by global guidelines, the findings suggest that initiation of maintenance treatment with FSC may afford clinical benefits at a lower cost than anticholinergic treatment.

Cost effectiveness of tiotropium for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Tiotropium has been shown to reduce exacerbations and improve quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease characterized by a persistent and progressive airflow limitation.

OBJECTIVES

To present a systematic literature review of the cost effectiveness of treatment with tiotropium compared with other currently used treatments for COPD.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed via PubMed, the Cochrane database, and EMBASE from 2002 to 2009. Methods and results by study design and by country were compared.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included in the review. Study designs were characterized as follows: modeling based on clinical trial data, and empirical analysis based on either clinical trial or observational data. Comparing monotherapy regimens (12 studies), all study designs found that treatment with tiotropium was associated with lower costs for hospitalisation and other non-drug services. Total costs, including the costs of maintenance drugs, were lower with tiotropium in some, but not all, of the studies. Tiotropium was shown to be cost effective based on commonly accepted benchmark values. Limitations of the review included the wide variety of outcome measures used in different studies, the limited number of observational database studies for monotherapy, and limited data for combination therapy regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

The main conclusions of the economic evaluations derived from clinical trial data at the time of product approval and from later observational data reflecting clinical use are similar: use of tiotropium monotherapy is associated with lower hospital and other non-drug costs and better health outcomes and is either cost saving or cost effective compared with other maintenance monotherapies.

Anticholinergic treatment in airways diseases

The prevalence of chronic airways diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma is increasing. They lead to symptoms such as a cough and shortness of breath, partially through bronchoconstriction. Inhaled anticholinergics are one of a number of treatments designed to treat bronchoconstriction in airways disease. Both short-acting and long-acting agents are now available and this review highlights their efficacy and adverse event profile in chronic airways diseases.