MEDIA RELEASE PR36137
New Analysis Supports Tiotropium as Initial Maintenance Therapy for COPD
VIENNA, Sept 15 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet
- Treatment With Tiotropium Reduced Lung Function Decline in Younger
Patients
NOT FOR US MEDIA
A new post-hoc analysis of data from the Understanding
Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT(R)) trial
presented today at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress
demonstrated that tiotropium (SPIRIVA(R)) administered to younger patients
(less than or equal to) 50 years old) with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) results in statistically significant reductions in the rate of
lung function decline [as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second
(FEV(1))] and improvements in health-related quality of life [as measured by
St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)]. This younger patient
population showed a 34% reduction in the rate of lung function decline over 4
years when treated with tiotropium compared to age-matched controls (post-
bronchodilator FEV(1), 38 mL/year vs. 58 mL/year; p=0.01).(*)(1)
The data, based on 356 patients (less than or equal to) 50 years old
enrolled in the landmark UPLIFT(R) trial, also demonstrated that younger
patients treated with tiotropium experienced a 27% decreased risk of
exacerbations compared with patients in the control group [HR (95%CI) = 0.73
(0.56, 0.95); p=0.02]. Exacerbations can worsen the clinical course of the
disease, therefore a treatment such as tiotropium that significantly reduces
the number of COPD exacerbations may provide patients with an improved
disease prognosis and impact the clinical course of COPD.(2)
"These new data in younger patients reinforce the imperative
to diagnose and treat COPD patients earlier, which is meaningful to both
physicians and patients. Doctors can prescribe tiotropium with confidence in
patients younger than 50, to help them experience improved quality of life
and long-term improvement. These data illustrate tiotropium's efficacy in
potentially preserving lung function and impacting the course of the disease
in younger patients." said Professor Roland Buhl, Head of the Pulmonary
Department at the University of Mainz, Germany.
Further evidence from UPLIFT(R) highlights benefit of early
treatment
Further evidence supporting tiotropium as initial maintenance
therapy, consistent with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
Disease (GOLD) guidelines,(3) came from a post-hoc analysis of
maintenance-naive patients in UPLIFT(R) which was presented at the American
Thoracic Society (ATS) Annual Congress in 2009. This analysis evaluated the
effectiveness of tiotropium in COPD patients who had not received previous
maintenance therapy with inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonists, inhaled
corticosteroids, theophyllines or anticholinergics.(4) The results in 403
patients receiving tiotropium and 407 control patients(*) showed that
tiotropium significantly reduced the rate of lung function decline (as
measured by FEV(1)) and produced a statistically significant improvement in
health-related quality of life (as measured by SGRQ). In addition, the risk
of hospitalisations due to COPD exacerbations was also significantly reduced
in patients receiving tiotropium compared with patients in the control group
[HR (95% CI) = 0.77 (0.62, 0.94); p=0.012].
Tiotropium may slow the progression of COPD in patients with
early stage disease (GOLD Stage II), as measured by the rate of decline in
lung function. A prespecified subgroup analysis of UPLIFT(R) recently
published in the Lancet showed that tiotropium reduced the rate of decline in
postbronchodilator FEV(1) over 4 years compared with control (43 mL per year
vs. 49 mL per year; p=0.024). The rate of decline in prebronchodilator FEV(1)
was similar between the groups.(5) Tiotropium also resulted in an 18% lower
risk for exacerbations and 20% fewer exacerbations (p<0.0001) compared with
control. GOLD Stage II is typically when patients start to realise their lung
function is abnormal and experience breathlessness on exertion. Patients
generally first seek treatment from their primary care physician for COPD
symptoms at this stage.(3)
"Overall, the growing body of evidence around tiotropium highlights its
efficacy as a first line maintenance therapy in the treatment of younger
patients and in those in the earlier stages of COPD. Through earlier
diagnosis and treatment with tiotropium, we can have a positive impact on
patient outcomes,' said Professor Buhl.
(*) All patients were allowed to continue with their normally prescribed
respiratory medication, including dose adjustment throughout the trial,
except inhaled anticholinergics.
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Contact:
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
External Communications
Ute E Schmidt
Binger Strasse 173
55216 Ingelheim am Rhein
Germany
Tel.: +49-6132-779-7296
Pfizer Inc.
Associate Director, Communications UK and Europe
Louise Clark
Walton Oaks
Dorking Road
Tadworth
Surrey, KT20 7NS
Tel.: +44-1737-331-192
E: Louise.clark@pfizer.com
SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Pfizer Inc
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