Cost-utility of tiotropium in patients with severe asthma.

Add-on therapy with tiotropium was cost-effective when added to usual care in patients who remain uncontrolled despite treatment with medium or high-dose ICS/LABA in a middle-income country. BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of asthma patients remain uncontrolled despite inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists. Some add-on therapies, such as tiotropium bromide, have been recommended for this subgroup of patients. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of tiotropium as an add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting b2 agonists for patients with severe asthma. METHODS: A probabilistic Markov model was created to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of patients with severe asthma in Colombia. Total costs and QALYs of two interventions include standard therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators versus add-on therapy with tiotropium. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated at a willingness-to-pay value of $5180. RESULTS: The expected incremental cost per QALY (ICER) is estimated at US$-2637.59. There is a probability of 0.77 that tiotropium + ICS + LABA is more cost-effective than ICS + LABA at a threshold of US$5180 per QALY. The strategy with the highest expected net benefit is Tiotropium, with an expected net benefit of US$800. Our base-case results were robust to parameter variations in the deterministic sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Add-on therapy with tiotropium was cost-effective when added to usual care in patients who remain uncontrolled despite treatment with medium or high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators. Our study provides evidence that should be used by decision-makers to improve clinical practice guidelines and should be replicated to validate their results in other middle-income countries.

Tiotropium for children and adolescents with severe asthma.

INTRODUCTION: An important proportion of asthma patients remain uncontrolled despite using inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists. Some add-on therapies, such as tiotropium bromide has been recommended for this subgroup of patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of tiotropium as add-on therapies to ICS + LABA for children and adolescents with uncontrolled allergic asthma. METHODS: A probabilistic Markov model was created to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of patients with severe asthma in Colombia. Total costs and QALYS of two interventions including standard therapy (ICS + LABA), and add-on therapy with tiotropium, were calculated over a time horizon from 6 to 18 years. Probability sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: For a patient with severe asthma, our Markov model showed that compared to standard therapy, add-on therapy with tiotropium was associated with higher treatment costs and QALY. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio estimated was US$2,017 in the probabilistic model after Monte-Carlo simulation. Our base-case results were robust to variations in all assumptions and parameters. The incremental net monetary benefit of US$327 with a 95% credible interval of US$396 to US425. CONCLUSION: Add-on therapy with tiotropium was cost-effective when added to usual care in children and adolescents with severe asthma who remained uncontrolled despite treatment with medium or high-dose ICS/LABA. Our study provides evidence that should be used by decision-makers to improve clinical practice guidelines and should be replicated to validate their results in other middle-income countries.

Cost-utility of triple versus dual inhaler therapy in moderate to severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: An important proportion of asthma patients remain uncontrolled despite using inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists. Clinical guidelines recommend, in these patients, using add-on long-acting muscarinic antagonists (triple therapy) to treatment with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids-long-acting beta2-agonist (dual therapy). The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of triple therapy versus dual therapy for patients with severe asthma. METHODS: A probabilistic Markov model was created to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of patients with severe asthma in Colombia. Total costs and QALYS of dual and triple therapy were calculated over a lifetime horizon. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated at a willingness-to-pay value of $19,000. RESULTS: The model suggests a potential gain of 1.55 QALYs per patient per year on triple therapy with respect to dual therapy. We observed a difference of US$304 in discounted cost per person-year on triple therapy with respect to dual therapy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was US$196 in the probabilistic model. In the sensitivity analysis, our base-case results were robust to variations in all assumptions and parameters. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, triple therapy in patients with moderate-severe asthma was cost-effective. Using triple therapy emerges with our results as an alternative before using oral corticosteroids or biologics, especially in resource-limited settings.

Judicialização do acesso ao Brometo de Tiotrópio: perfil dos pacientes e conteúdo das ações individuais / Judicialization of access to Tiotropium Bromide: patient profile and content of individual

O estudo objetivou caracterizar as ações de demanda judicial impetradas no estado do Paraná para obtenção do medicamento Brometo de Tiotrópio, destinado ao tratamento de pessoas diagnosticadas com a Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC). Foram consideradas as ações do período de 2013 a 2016. As variáveis de interesse foram sexo, idade e ocupação dos pacientes, histórico de tabagismo, estágio da DPOC, tratamento e justificativa médica. Nas ações individuais (n=98) predominaram idosos de ambos os sexos (50%), tabagistas ou ex-tabagistas (54%), aposentados (63,3%), com a DPOC grave e muito grave (93,9%). A demanda se justificava pela necessidade de melhorar a resposta clínica (66,3%). O Brometo de Tiotrópio foi recentemente reavaliado e recomendado para incorporação pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em razão das novas evidências sobre a sua efetividade e segurança. A disponibilização deste medicamento pelo SUS traz a perspectiva de maior facilidade no acesso e benefícios terapêuticos para os usuários com DPOC. (AU)

The study aimed to characterize the lawsuits filed in the state of Paraná to obtain the drug Tiotropium Bromide, intended for the treatment of people diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Ac-tions from 2013 to 2016 were considered. The variables of interest were gender, age and occupation of patients, smoking history, COPD stage, treatment and medical justification. In individual actions (n=98), elderly of both sexes (50%), smokers or ex-smokers (54%), retirees (63.3%), with severe and very severe COPD (93.9%) predominated. The demand was justified by the need to improve clinical response (66.3%). Tiotropium bromide was recently re-evaluated and recommended for incorporation by the Unified Health System (SUS), due to new evidence on its effectiveness and safety. The availability of this drug by the SUS brings the prospect of greater ease of access and therapeutic benefits for users with COPD. (AU)

Legal demands of the tiotropium bromide for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their financial impact for the State of Paraná, Brazil / Demandas judiciais do uso de brometo tiotrópio para o tratamento da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e o impacto financeiro para o Estado do Paraná, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the legal demands of tiotropium bromide to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods We included secondary data from the pharmaceutical care management systems made available by the Paraná State Drug Center. Results Public interest civil action and ordinary procedures, among others, were the most common used by the patients to obtain the medicine. Two Health Centers in Paraná (Londrina and Umuarama) concentrated more than 50% of the actions. The most common specialty of physicians who prescribed (33.8%) was pulmonology. There is a small financial impact of tiotropium bromide on general costs with medicines of the Paraná State Drug Center. However, a significant individual financial impact was observed because one unit of the medicine represents 38% of the Brazilian minimum wage. Conclusion Our study highlights the need of incorporating this medicine in the class of long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator in the Brazilian public health system.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar as demandas judiciais do brometo de tiotrópio para tratar a doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Métodos Foram considerados dados secundários dos sistemas gerenciais de assistência farmacêutica, disponibilizados pelo Centro de Medicamentos do Paraná. Resultados Ações civis públicas e ações ordinárias, de procedimento comum, entre outras, foram as mais praticadas pelos pacientes para obter o medicamento. Duas Regionais de Saúde do Paraná (Londrina e Umuarama) concentraram mais de 50% das ações. Quanto à especialidade dos médicos prescritores, 33,8% eram pneumologistas. Verificou-se discreto impacto financeiro do brometo de tiotrópio nos gastos gerais com medicamentos pelo Centro de Medicamentos do Paraná. Entretanto, também houve relevante impacto financeiro individual, pois uma unidade do medicamento consome 38% do salário mínimo. Conclusão O estudo aponta para a necessidade de incorporação deste medicamento da classe broncodilatadores anticolinérgicos de longa duração, no Sistema Único de Saúde.

An online survey detected knowledge gaps and cost-saving opportunities in asthma maintenance treatment among allergists, pulmonologists, ENTs and primary care.

BACKGROUND: In April 2017 the Mexican Asthma Guidelines (GUIMA) were published. Before the launch, physicians' knowledge was explored related to key issues of the guideline. METHODS: A SurveyMonkey® survey was sent out to board-certified physicians of 5 medical specialties treating asthma. Replies were analyzed per specialty against the GUIMA evidence-based recommendations. We present the treatment part here. RESULTS: A total of 364 allergists (ALLERG), 161 pulmonologists (PULM), 34 ENTs, 239 pediatricians (PED) and 62 general practitioners (GPs) replied to the survey and 247-83-14-135-37 respectively finished it. Spirometry is not routinely indicated when asthma is very probable by ALLERG 54%, PULM 47%, ENT 39%, PED 65%, GP 64%. A fictitious case proposed to the physicians with intermittent asthma was erroneously treated with ICS by ALLERG 9%, PULM 11%, ENT 28%, PED 10%, GP 11%. The mild persistent case received mistakenly ICS-LABA by ALLERG 25%, PULM 26%, ENT 33%, PED 27%, GP 23%. The first-line option for moderate persistent asthma was ICS(median dose) instead of ICS(low)+LABA for ALLERG 29%, PULM 25%, ENT 17%, PED 27%, GP 23% and in severe asthma maintenance treatment PULM20%, ALLERG-ENT-PED-GP 22-34% failed to indicate LABA. Concerning the guidelines' recommendation to use one inhaler for maintenance & rescue in moderate-to-severe asthma, PULM45%, ALLERG-ENT-PED-GP 56-80% (p < 0.00001), erroneously indicated ICS-salmeterol could be used, instead of ICS-formoterol. Oral ß2 or theophylline are no longer recommended, but PULM 37% and ALLERG-ENT-PED-GP 42-62% (p < 0.01) still indicate their use. In severe asthma 61-73% of physicians consider adding LTRA to the treatment; only PULM38%, OTHERS12-25% consider adding tiotropium (p < 0.001) and 3-17% consider adding omalizumab, both guideline recommended add-ons. As for asthma in pregnancy, most surveyed are not aware budesonide is the 1st line option ICS. Finally, 81-97% of the group-members recognized allergen immunotherapy, as a viable add-on, in line with GINA/GEMA/GUIMA recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: An online survey could detect knowledge-gaps related to asthma treatment. Interestingly, surveyed physicians tended to over-treat the milder asthma cases, thus clearly leaving room for cost-savings. Caution should be taken in the promotion of the SMART (single-maintenance-and-reliever-treatment) approach, which can only be done with ICS-formoterol. Many physicians opt for other combinations not apt for this approach. Among all surveyed specialties there is ample room for improvement in mild and severe asthma management.

Bronchodilators for hyperinflation in COPD associated with biomass smoke: clinical trial.

Introduction: The efficacy of long-acting bronchodilators for COPD associated with biomass (BE-COPD) has not been properly evaluated. Objective: To determine the acute effect of indacaterol (IND) 150 µg q.d and tiotropium (TIO) 18 µg q.d. on lung hyperinflation, walking distance (WD) and dyspnea during the six-minute walking test (6MWT) in moderate BE-COPD at 30, 60 and 240 mins post-drug administration. Design: Randomized, controlled, open-level, crossover noninferiority clinical trial. Forty-two women with BE-COPD were randomly assigned to a bronchodilator sequence: IND-TIO or vice versa. Results: There were statistically significant changes over time in inspiratory capacity (IC) (p<0.0001), FEV1 (p<0.0001) and FVC (p<0.0001) when IND was used. When TIO was administered, an increase over all time periods was observed only for FEV1 (p<0.0001) and FVC (p<0.0001), whereas for IC an increase was observed only at 30 mins and 24 hrs after TIO administration. We did not find clinically significant increases in WD and dyspnea after the administration of both bronchodilators. Conclusion: Both IND and TIO showed significant and fast onset improvement in hyperinflation. Therefore, either of them may be recommended as a first line of treatment for COPD associated with BE-COPD.

Índice de hospitalização e custos associados à doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) entre estados que padronizaram versus que não padronizaram o tiotrópio ­ dados do mundo real / Hospitalization rates and costs associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among states standardized versus not standardized tiotropium ­ real-world data

Objetivo: Avaliar, por meio de dados do mundo real (DATASUS) e análises estatísticas, o impacto da inclusão do tiotrópio no tratamento da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), comparando o índice de hospitalização e custos associados à internação nos estados que possuem o tiotrópio padronizado em suas diretrizes de tratamento comparados aos estados que não o incluem. Método: Estudo retrospectivo histórico realizado entre 2013 e 2015, a partir de dados obtidos do DATASUS, portais de compras públicas estaduais e Secretarias de Saúde Estaduais. Todos os índices foram normalizados pelo número da população, de acordo com os dados atualizados do IBGE. Foi utilizado o teste Z para avaliar a significância estatística dos resultados. Resultados: A análise combinada do grupo com tiotrópio apresentou 52,4% menos hospitalizações em comparação ao grupo sem tiotrópio (90,0/100.000 versus 43,3/100.000, respectivamente, p < 0,01). O gasto total para o sistema único de saúde com hospitalização por DPOC foi de R$ 2,3 milhões e R$ 4,8 milhões para o grupo com tiotrópio vs. grupo sem tiotrópio, respectivamente (p = 0,0003). Houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto ao número total e gastos totais de internação por DPOC, nos estados nos quais o tiotrópio estava padronizado e nos estados sem o tiotrópio padronizado. Conclusão: A análise dos resultados sugere redução significativa no número de internações por DPOC e seus respectivos gastos nos estados nos quais o tiotrópio está padronizado.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the inclusion of tiotropium in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using real world data (DATASUS) and statistical analyzes, comparing hospitalization rates and costs associated with hospitalization in states where tiotropium is reimbursed in their treatment guidelines compared to states where tiotropium is not included. Method: A retrospective historical study conducted between 2013 and 2015, based on data obtained from DATASUS, state public purchasing portals and State Health Secretariats. All indexes were normalized by the number of the population, according to the IBGE updated data. The Z tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the results. Results: The combined analysis of the tiotropium reimbursed group presented 52.4% fewer hospitalizations compared to the tiotropium non-reimbursed group (90.0/100,000 versus 43.3/100,000, respectively). The total expenditure for the public healthcare system with hospitalization for COPD was R$ 2.3 million and R$ 4.8 million for the tiotropium group vs. the non-tiotropium group, respectively. Statistical analysis, both in total number and total costs of hospitalization for COPD, showed a statistically significant difference in the states in which tiotropium was reimbursed vs non-reimbursed. Conclusion: Analysis of the results suggests a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations due to COPD in the states in which tiotropium is reimbursed, as well as a reduction in the total expenditure related to hospitalizations associated with COPD.

Efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials / Eficácia e segurança do brometo de tiotrópio na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is among the most prevalent pulmonary diseases. This study aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of anticholinergic tiotropium bromide (TB) in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. This is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials performed in the Brazilian Cochrane Center. Electronic database searched: Cochrane library, Medline, LILACS, Pubmed. There were no language, date or other restrictions. Participants: Patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Intervention: tiotropium bromide. Comparison: Other bronchodilators or placebo. Outcomes: Mortality, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, hospitalizations, adverse effects. Results: 14 studies were included in this systematic review. Mortality was lower in the tiotropium bromide group when compared with the salmeterol group [statistical significance: relative risk (RR) 0.16, confidence interval 95% (CI) 0.03 to 0.89, number needed to treat (NNT) of 100]. There was not a statistical difference in the mortality outcome in the comparison between tiotropium bromide and placebo groups (RR 0.88, CI 0.74 to 1.06). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation decreases significantly in the tiotropium bromide group when compared to placebo (statistical significance: RR 0.85, CI 0.77 to 0.93, NNT 25), but in comparison to the salmeterol group there was no statistical difference (RR 0.93, CI 0.80 to 1.08). The number of hospitalizations was lower in the tiotropium bromide group than in the placebo group (statistical significance:RR 0.77, CI 0.59 to 0.99, NNT 50). The results indicate that tiotropium bromide is an effective once-daily bronchodilator. Tiotropium bromide was associated with consistent health benefits, including reduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, hospitalizations and even mortality when compared with salmeterol.(AU)

A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica está entre as doenças pulmonares mais prevalentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a eficácia e segurança do brometo de tiotrópio em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Trata-se de revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados realizada no Centro Cochrane do Brasil. A estratégia de busca eletrônica foi realizada nos nas bases LILACS, MEDLINE, Biblioteca Cochrane, PubMed. Não houve restrições à linguagem e nem à data. Participaram pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. A intervenção foi o uso de brometo de tiotrópio comparado a outros broncodilatadores ou placebo. Os desfechos analisados foram mortalidade, exacerbações da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, hospitalização e efeitos adversos. A mortalidade foi menor no grupo brometo de tiotrópio quando comparado com o grupo salmeterol (significância estatística: risco relativo de 0,16; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,03-0,89, número necessário para tratar de 100). Não houve diferença estatística no desfecho mortalidade na comparação entre os grupos brometo de tiotrópio e placebo (risco relativo de 0,88; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,74-1,06). As exacerbações da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica diminuíram significantemente no grupo brometo de tiotrópio quando comparado ao placebo (significância estatística: risco relativo de 0,85; intervalo de confiança de 95% de 0,77-0,93; número necessário para tratar de 25), porém, quando comparado ao salmeterol não obteve significância estatística (risco relativo de 0,93; intervalo de confiança de 95% 0,80-1,08). O número de hospitalizações foi menor no grupo brometo de tiotrópio do que no grupo placebo (significância estatística: risco relativo de 0,77; intervalo de confiança de 95% 0,59-0,99; número necessário para tratar de 50). Os resultados indicam que o brometo de tiotrópio é um broncodilatador eficaz em dose única diária. O brometo de tiotrópio traz benefícios à saúde com resultados consistentes, incluindo redução de exacerbações da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, internações e até mesmo a mortalidade quando comparados com salmeterol.(AU)

Efficacy and safety of tiotropium in school-age children with moderate-to-severe symptomatic asthma: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Recently published data support the benefits and safety of the once-daily (OD) long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium bromide bronchodilator for the treatment of uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma in adults and adolescents. However, its role for the treatment of school-age asthmatics has not yet been clearly defined. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of tiotropium Respimat® in children aged 6-11 years with moderate-to-severe symptomatic asthma. METHODS: Randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included. Primary outcomes were peak forced expiratory volume in 1 s measured within 3 h post-dosing) [FEV1 (0-3 h) ] and trough FEV1 measured at the end of the dosing interval. RESULTS: Three studies (more than 900 patients) were selected. Tiotropium was associated with significant improvements in FEV1 peak (mean change from baseline) by 102 mL (P<.0001) and trough by 82 mL (P<.0001) compared with placebo. Tiotropium 5 µg dose presented a trend (statistically non-significant) toward a greater bronchodilation in comparison with 2.5 µg dose. Tiotropium significantly increased the rate of the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-7) responders compared with placebo (82.2% vs 75.4%, number needed to treat for benefit [NNTB]=15) and significantly decreased the number of patients with at least one exacerbation in comparison with placebo (29.1% vs. 39.8%, with a NNTB of 10). There were no significant differences in rescue medication use, withdrawals, and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: OD tiotropium Respimat® is efficacious and well tolerated as an add-on to inhaled corticosteroids plus one or more controller medications in school-age symptomatic asthmatics.

Umeclidinium/vilanterol as step-up therapy from tiotropium in patients with moderate COPD: a randomized, parallel-group, 12-week study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with COPD who remain symptomatic on long-acting bronchodilator monotherapy may benefit from step-up therapy to a long-acting bronchodilator combination. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of umeclidinium (UMEC)/vilanterol (VI) in patients with moderate COPD who remained symptomatic on tiotropium (TIO). METHODS: In this randomized, blinded, double-dummy, parallel-group study (NCT01899742), patients (N=494) who were prescribed TIO for ≥3 months at screening (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]: 50%-70% of predicted; modified Medical Research Council [mMRC] score ≥1) and completed a 4-week run-in with TIO were randomized to UMEC/VI 62.5/25 µg or TIO 18 µg for 12 weeks. Efficacy assessments included trough FEV1 at Day 85 (primary end point), 0-3 h serial FEV1, rescue medication use, Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Safety evaluations included adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Compared with TIO, UMEC/VI produced greater improvements in trough FEV1 (least squares [LS] mean difference: 88 mL at Day 85 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 45-131]; P<0.001) and FEV1 after 5 min on Day 1 (50 mL [95% CI: 27-72]; P<0.001). Reductions in rescue medication use over 12 weeks were greater with UMEC/VI versus TIO (LS mean change: -0.1 puffs/d [95% CI: -0.2-0.0]; P≤0.05). More patients achieved clinically meaningful improvements in TDI score (≥1 unit) with UMEC/VI (63%) versus TIO (49%; odds ratio at Day 84=1.78 [95% CI: 1.21-2.64]; P≤0.01). Improvements in SGRQ and CAT scores were similar between treatments. The incidence of AEs was similar with UMEC/VI (30%) and TIO (31%). CONCLUSION: UMEC/VI step-up therapy provides clinical benefit over TIO monotherapy in patients with moderate COPD who are symptomatic on TIO alone.

O uso da combinação LABA/LAMA em pacientes com DPOC / LABA/LAMA combination in COPD

Neste artigo de atualização discutiremos, à luz dos mais recentes e relevantes trabalhos, a terapia dupla com broncodilatadores de longa ação para os pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC) no período estável, destacando sua proteção quanto a exacerbações, dispneia, qualidade de vida, utilizando como orientador de sua oportunidade de uso a recomendação mais recente do Iniciativa Global para Doenças Pulmonares (GOLD) da sigla em língua inglesa.

In this update article we will discuss the light of the most recent and relevant studies on dual therapy with long acting bronchodilators for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the stable period, highlighting their protection against exacerbations, dyspnea, quality of life, Using the most recent recommendation of the Global Initiative for Lung Disease (GOLD) as the guideline of their opportunity to use the English acronym.

Tiotropium Bromide in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Bronchial Asthma.

Inhaled bronchodilators are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including ß2-agonists and muscarinic antagonists. Tiotropium bromide, a long-acting antimuscarinic bronchodilator (LAMA), is a treatment choice for moderate-to-severe COPD; its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated in recent trials. Studies also point to a beneficial role of tiotropium in the treatment of difficult-to-control asthma and a potential function in the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). Combination of different bronchodilator molecules and addition of inhaled corticosteroids are viable therapeutic alternatives. A condensation of the latest trials and the rationale behind these therapies will be presented in this article.

Efecto de las combinaciones salbutamol-ipratropio y salbutamol-tiotropio inhalados y teofilina vía oral en pacientes con EPOC. Análisis de costo/efectividad / Cost-effectiveness of the inhaled combinations of salbutamol-ipratropium. salbutamol-triotropium and oral theophylline in COPD

La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) afecta, aproximadamente, a 600 millones de personas; anualmente mueren 2.7 millones; es la cuarta causa de muerte en el mundo y es una enfermedad prevenible. El costo anual aproximado es de 1,876 a 2,000 US dólares y los gastos en que incurre durante una exacerbación pueden representar un gasto catastrófico para cualquier familia y para la sociedad, por lo que el manejo ambulatorio de los pacientes con EPOC es de suma importancia. Broncodilatadores como el salbutamol, teofilina, ipratropio y tiotropio, y sus combinaciones, se utilizan para el manejo ambulatorio de estos pacientes. El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar los costos de las diferentes combinaciones de broncodilatadores y analizar las conveniencias de cada uno de ellos, en un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, observacional y descriptivo de pacientes con EPOC que se siguieron durante un año y se dividieron en tres grupos: grupo I, 32 enfermos, se utilizó sulfato de salbutamol + bromuro de ipratropio inhalados; grupo II, 33 enfermos, se trató con sulfato de salbutamol + bromuro de tiotropio inhalados; el grupo III, 15 enfermos, con teofilina oral. Dentro de los resultados del análisis de costos se observó que el costo total de la atención anual en el grupo II, es menor que en los otros dos.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 600 million people around the world, 2.7 million die every year, and globally it represents the fourth cause of death, although a preventable one. The annual $ 1, 876 to 2, 000 US dollars cost of the disease and the money spent during an exacerbation can represent a catastrophic expense for the family and society; this makes the ambulatory treatment of COPD of the outmost importance. In this prospective, longitudinal, observational and descriptive study, we analyzed the cost, number of exacerbations and hospitalizations of three groups of out-patients: group I, 32 patients, inhaled salbutamol + ipratropium; group II, 33 patients, inhaled salbutamol + tiotropium; group III, 15 patients, oral teophylline. The analysis showed that group II was the least costly and with the lowest number of disease exacerbations and hospitalizations.