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Title: Patients Satisfied With Fluticasone/Salmeterol Treatment by Diskus for COPD: Presented at CHEST

"Patients Satisfied With Fluticasone/Salmeterol Treatment by Diskus for COPD: Presented at CHEST"

By Ed Susman MONTREAL, CANADA -- November 4, 2005 -- Patients reported a high degree of satisfaction after 2 months of using a new treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Survey responses were taken after 1 month and the second 2 weeks later show that about 60% of patients using fluticasone/salmeterol 250/50 mg via Diskus inhaler. Stuart Stoloff, MD, clinical professor of family and community medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States, presented the findings from the 582-patient survey in a poster session here November 2[^nd the American College of Chest Physicians Annual Meeting (CHEST).

The average age of respondents was 61 years and 62% were women. About 58% of those respondents said they used a prescription drug every day for a breathing problem. One third had been diagnosed with COPD less than 1 year before starting the drug medication; about 40% of patients had been diagnosed at least 3 years earlier.

On a 9-point scale -- with 9 representing normal breathing -- patients rated their previous COPD treatment at an average of 5.55. Their final score after therapy with fluticasone/salmeterol via Diskus was 7.76.

After a mean of 51 days of treatment with fluticasone/salmeterol, patients with COPD reported a high level of satisfaction with their treatment and perceived improvements in their breathing, both overall and specifically upon awakening in the morning, Dr. Stoloff said.

Fewer than 4% of patients taking the medications said they were disappointed with the treatment.

"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is increasingly recognized as a major healthcare problem in the United States and around the world," Dr. Stoloff said. "Its prevalence continues to grow, with over 24 million sufferers estimated in the United States. And its incidence is expected to rise during the coming decade. However, the underdiagnosis of COPD is evidenced by the fact that only 10.5 million patients are diagnosed with the disease.

"High patient satisfaction with therapy may encourage increased compliance with therapy and, therefore, may result in improved outcomes," Dr. Stoloff said.

The study was supported by GlaxoSmithKline. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States.

[Presentation title: High Satisfaction With Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Via Diskus Reported During Experience Program in Patients With COPD.]

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