title: Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis with inhaled fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (ADVAIR DISKUS) 250/50: results of a patient experience trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as a major healthcare problem in the United States and around the world.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This survey regarding initial experience in patients with COPD collected feedback about newly initiated therapy with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FSC; ADVAIR DISKUS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three telephone surveys were conducted; Survey 1 prior to initiating therapy with FSC 250/50, and Surveys 2 and 3 at 2 weeks and 30 days after initiating therapy with FSC 250/50, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand primary care physicians recruited outpatients into the trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were either newly diagnosed with COPD associated with chronic bronchitis or were still experiencing breathing difficulties on an anticholinergic medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients initiated FSC 250/50 and received a 1-month supply of FSC 250/50 with an albuterol inhaler for rescue use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures were patient perceptions of satisfaction, compliance, and convenience and changes in breathing on 1 (negative) to 9 (positive) point scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred sixteen patients completed all 3 surveys. The mean age was 61 years, 63% were female, and 62% had been diagnosed with COPD associated with chronic bronchitis for 3 years or less (Table 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients reported high satisfaction, compliance, and convenience with FSC 250/50 within 2 weeks of initiating therapy, all maintained over the trial period. Additionally, patients had positive changes in breathing, including improvements in the ability to breathe upon awakening in the morning.
authors.affiliation: The University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stoloff
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samuels
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kerney
authors.forename: Christy P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D000420:Albuterol