Disease Burden and Unmet Needs in Chinese Patients with Symptomatic and Exacerbating COPD While on Triple Inhaled...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease and a major cause of mortality and morbidity in China. Global studies have revealed a subgroup of patients who had COPD symptoms and frequent exacerbations while receiving triple inhaled therapy. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and disease burden of this patient population in China.

This cross-sectional, real-world study drew data from the Adelphi COPD Disease Specific Programme (DSP)™ from July to November 2022 in China. Adult patients with a diagnosis of COPD and receiving triple therapy at survey date were included; among them, patients who had frequent productive cough and sputum, a history of smoking, ≥2 moderate or ≥1 severe exacerbation(s) in the prior 12 months and were receiving triple therapy were identified as the symptomatic SET cohort; all other patients were categorized as the triple therapy cohort. Disease-related characteristics and perceptions of disease control were described for both cohorts.

Of the 135 patients receiving triple therapy, 39 (28.9%) were categorized into the symptomatic SET cohort and 96 (71.1%) into the triple therapy cohort. In the triple therapy and symptomatic SET cohorts, mean (SD) age was 65.9 (9.0) and 69.2 (8.7), respectively; mean (SD) number of exacerbations during the last 12 months was 1.3 (1.4) and 2.3 (1.3), respectively; mean (SD) CAT score was 21.0 (8.3) and 25.7 (7.1), respectively. According to physicians' perception, around 70% of patients in the symptomatic SET cohort had, at the minimum, somewhat controlled COPD (completely controlled: 2.6%; well controlled: 28.2%; somewhat controlled: 38.5%). Satisfactory COPD control was achieved in 33.3% and 38.5% of patients in the symptomatic SET cohort as perceived by physicians and patients, respectively.

Substantial disease burden and large unmet needs existed among patients with symptomatic and exacerbating COPD while receiving triple inhaled therapy in clinical settings in China. Novel therapeutic options and improved guideline-directed disease management are needed.