Impact of tiotropium + olodaterol on physical functioning in COPD: results of an open-label observational study

Maintaining and improving physical functioning is key to mitigating the cycle of deconditioning associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated the impact of free combination of the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium plus the long-acting β2-agonist olodaterol on physical functioning in a real-world clinical setting.

In this open-label noninterventional study, Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) B-D patients with COPD aged ≥40 years were treated for 4-6 weeks with either tiotropium 5 μg + olodaterol 5 μg (both via Respimat(®) inhaler) or tiotropium 18 μg (HandiHaler(®)) + olodaterol 5 μg (Respimat(®)) once daily. Physical functioning was assessed by the self-reported 10-item Physical Functioning Questionnaire (PF-10). The primary end point was the percentage of patients achieving therapeutic success, defined as a 10-point increase in the PF-10 between baseline (visit 1) and weeks 4-6 (visit 2). Secondary end points included absolute PF-10 scores, Physicians' Global Evaluation, satisfaction with Respimat(®) and adverse events.

A total of 1,858 patients were treated: 1,298 (69.9%) with tiotropium 5 μg + olodaterol 5 μg and 560 (30.1%) with tiotropium 18 μg + olodaterol 5 μg. At study end, 1,683 (92.6%) and 1,556 patients (85.6%) continued using tiotropium and olodaterol, respectively; 48.9% (95% confidence interval: 46.5, 51.3) achieved the primary end point. Therapeutic success rates were significantly higher for maintenance-naïve patients compared to those who had received prior therapy (59.1% vs 44.5%; P<0.0001), largely driven by maintenance-treatment-naïve GOLD B (59.8%) and C (63.0%) patients. Absolute physical functioning scores increased from an average baseline of 44.0 (standard deviation: 25.2) to 54.2 (standard deviation: 26.9) at visit 2. Patients' general condition improved from baseline to visit 2, and patients were largely satisfied with the Respimat(®) inhaler. Adverse events were reported by 7.5% of patients; the most common were respiratory in nature.

Tiotropium + olodaterol improved physical functioning within 4-6 weeks in patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD. GOLD B and C patients with no prior maintenance treatment demonstrated the greatest benefit.