This is a 12 month randomized, open-label, parallel-group study to obtain data on the frequency and variability of exacerbations in severe and very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage III and IV) receiving salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate either in fixed combination (SFC) or from separate inhalers (Sal/FP) with standard therapy. 200 subjects will be enrolled in approximately 30 study centres in Germany. Data on health care utilisation will be collected to compare direct costs associated with COPD in these two groups. Baseline data will be collected for all subjects at Visit 1 and eligible subjects will be randomized to receive either SFC 50/500 µg bid (twice daily) as fixed combination or Sal 50 µg bid (twice daily) and FP 500 µg bid (twice daily) concurrently over 52 weeks. Subjects will return for study visits every two to three months until week 52. Additional telephone calls will be made between scheduled visits every 4 weeks. Assessments will include monitoring of frequency of exacerbations, health care utilisation (including emergency visits and hospitalizations) and rescue medication, lung function, drug compliance, health-related quality of life (SGRQ = St George's Respiratory Questionnaire) and safety.
A 12 month open-label randomized parallel group study to investigate the influence of salmeterol xinafoate/fluticasone propionate either in fixed combination (SFC50/500 µg bid) or separately (SAL 50 µg and FP 500 µg bid) via Diskus inhalers on the course of the disease and frequency of exacerbations in subjects with severe and very severe COPD ( GOLD stage III+IV)
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
214
GSK Investigational Site
Bruchsal, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Wiesloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Cottbus, Brandenburg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Neuruppin, Brandenburg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Eschwege, Hesse, Germany
GSK Investigational Site
Gelnhausen, Hesse, Germany
...and 13 more locations
Mean Number of Exacerbations Per Year: Negative Binomial Model
During regular visits, participants were asked whether they experienced any exacerbation since last contact. Between visits, COPD participants were contacted by phone by the staff and asked about exacerbation details. Exacerbations were defined according to Rodriguez-Roisin: moderate (grade II) exacerbations include a worsening of COPD symptoms that require both a change of respiratory medication (increased dose of prescribed or addition of new drugs) and medical assistance; severe (grade III) exacerbations include deterioration in COPD resulting in hospitalization or emergency room treatment.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Mean Number of Exacerbations Per Year: Poisson Model
During regular visits, participants were asked whether they experienced any exacerbation since last contact. Between visits, COPD participants were contacted by phone by the staff and asked about exacerbation details. Exacerbations were defined according to Rodriguez-Roisin: moderate (grade II) exacerbations include a worsening of COPD symptoms that require both a change of respiratory medication (increased dose of prescribed or addition of new drugs) and medical assistance; severe (grade III) exacerbations include deterioration in COPD resulting in hospitalization or emergency room treatment.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Compliance and Adherence to Study Medication
Compliance is calculated as the ratio (in percent) between the number of actual doses taken during the total treatment period divided by the number of doses that should have been taken during the total treatment period.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Mean Number of COPD-related Visits at/by Physician
The total number of COPD-related visits, i.e., from baseline through week 52, the number of visits at physician's office, the number of home visits made by physician, the number of visits at an emergency outpatient clinic, as well as the number of home visits by an emergency physician were summed up.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Number of Participants With the Indicated Number of Days at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
The number participants with the indicated number of days at the ICU was recorded.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Number of Participants With the Indicated Number of Hospital Stays
The number of participants with the indicated number of hospitalizations was recorded.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
Mean Number of Days Rescue Medication Was Used
Participants were asked for the number of days they used rescue medication within the 7 days before Week 8 and Week 52.
Time frame: The 7 days before baseline (=Visit 2 [Week 8]) and the last 7 days of study (=Visit 6 [Week 52])
Mean Change From Baseline in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) at Week 52
Change from baseline was calculated as the FEV1 percent predicted value at Week 52 minus the percent predicted value at baseline. The post-bronchodilator lung function test was performed to measure FEV1 30 minutes after inhaling salbutamol. The most reliable result of three different consecutive measurements was documented.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Inspiratory Vital Capacity (IVC) at Week 52
Change from baseline was measured as the IVC value at Week 52 minus the value at baseline. The post-bronchodilator lung function test was performed to measure IVC 30 minutes after inhaling salbutamol. The most reliable result of three different, consecutive measurements was documented.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in the Tiffeaneau Index at Week 52
The Tiffeneau index is defined as the FEV1 divided by the IVC (i.e., forced expiratory volume in one second relative to the inspiratory capacity) in percent. Change from baseline is calculated as the FEV1/IVC value at Week 52 minus the value at baseline.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in the Symptom Score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at Week 52
Change from baseline is calculated as the symptom score at Week 52 minus the symptom score at baseline. The SGRQ (a self-administered questionnaire) subscale symptom score ranges from 0 to 100% and measures the effect of respiratory symptoms, frequency, and severity on quality of life (summed weights of 8 questions). A score of 0 indicates the best possible status.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in the Activity Score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at Week 52
Change from baseline is calculated as the activity score at Week 52 minus the score at baseline. The SGRQ (a self-administered questionnaire) subscale activity score ranges from 0 to 100% and is concerned with activities that cause or are limited by breathlessness (summed weights of 2 questions). A score of 0 indicates the best possible status.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in the Impact Score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at Week 52
Change from baseline was calculated as the impact score at Week 52 minus the score at baseline. The SGRQ (a self-administered questionnaire) subscale impact score ranges from 0 to 100% and is concerned with social functioning and psychological disturbances (summed weights of 5 questions). A score of 0 indicates the best possible status.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in the Total Score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at Week 52
Change from baseline was calculated as the total score at Week 52 minus the score at baseline. The SGRQ (a self-administered questionnaire) total score ranges from 0 to 100% and summarizes the impact of COPD on overall health status (summed weights of 15 questions). A total score of 0 indicates the best possible status.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Total Costs (Related to COPD) Per Participant
Total costs include costs for hospitalization, medication, and visits to/by physician. Medications that were used "as required" were assumed to be used every second day.
Time frame: Baseline through Week 52
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