Background:
QVA149 is a dual
bronchodilator combining the long-acting β2-agonist(LABA)
indacaterol and the long-acting
muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)
glycopyrronium, for maintenance treatment of
COPD. This post hoc analysis evaluated the improvements in lung function,
dyspnea, and health status in subgroups of patients based on prior medication use, disease severities, baseline
cough score, and baseline rescue medication use, achieved with
QVA149 compared with placebo and other active comparators in 2 phase III clinical studies. Methods: In both the SHINE (NCT01202188) and ILLUMINATE (NCT01315249) studies, symptomatic patients aged ≥40 years with moderate-to-severe
COPD were randomized to once-daily
QVA149 (110/50 µg),
indacaterol (150 µg),
glycopyrronium (50 µg),
tiotropium (18 μg), or placebo (2:2:2:2:1) and once-daily
QVA149 (110/50 µg) or twice-daily
salmeterol/
fluticasone ([SFC]; 50/500 µg), respectively for 26 weeks. Here, we present the improvements in lung function, transition
dyspnea index (TDI) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score by prior medication use and
COPD disease severity separately from both studies. Results: In total, 2144 and 523 patients were randomized in the SHINE and ILLUMINATE studies; 89.1% and 82.6%, respectively, completed the study.
QVA149 showed significant improvements in lung function compared with placebo (SHINE study) and SFC (ILLUMINATE study) regardless of prior medication, disease severity, baseline
cough score, and rescue medication use. TDI and SGRQ total scores were also improved with
QVA149 compared with placebo and SFC in most of the analyzed subgroups. Conclusion:
QVA149 showed improvements in lung function,
dyspnea, and health status in both moderate and severe
COPD patients independent of previous medication use and baseline
cough score.