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Outcomes for Medicare Asthma Patients Taking Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Xinafoate Combination Versus Inhaled Corticosteroids or Other Combination Therapy

Completed
Conditions
Asthma
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT01347060
Lead Sponsor
GlaxoSmithKline
Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to compare healthcare utilization and costs in Medicare-eligible asthma patients (aged \>65) who receive fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate combination or inhaled corticosteroids in a typical clinical practice using a retrospective observational cohort study design of large managed care database. Outcomes on interest include asthma related severe exacerbations defined as asthma related emergency department visits, hospitalizations or combined emergency department/hospitalization. Other outcomes of interest include use of albuterol, oral corticosteroids and overall asthma related costs. Outcomes of interest will be compared between the two treatment cohorts (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate combination or inhaled corticosteroids). Dichotomous outcomes (emergency visits, hospitalizations etc) will be compared using Cox regression hazards analysis assessing time to first event for each asthma related endpoint adjusting for differences in baseline demographics such as age, gender, previous asthma medication use, co morbidities, costs, and plan demographics. Total asthma related costs will also be compared using generalized linear models adjusting for baseline differences.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
17448
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subjects with asthma as determined by ICD-9 codes and asthma drug use
  • at least 65 years of age
  • prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid
Exclusion Criteria
  • a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or
  • a prescription for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Medicare-eligible subjects with asthmainhaled corticosteroidsAsthma subjects at least 65 years of age enrolled in a large Medicare managed care health plan.
Medicare-eligible subjects with asthmafluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate combinationAsthma subjects at least 65 years of age enrolled in a large Medicare managed care health plan.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean Number of Post-index Asthma-related Events Measured Using Medical and Pharmacy ClaimsUp to 7 years from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2008

Asthma-related events were defined as events with any primary ICD-9 code of 493.xx for hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and combined hospitalization/emergency department visits. The post-index period is defined as 3-12 months after either the first administration of fluticasone propionate and salmetrol or inhaled corticosteroids. Medical and pharmacy claims are recorded healthcare encounters in a large managed care administrative insurance database.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean Number of Albuterol (Short-acting β-Agonists) Canisters Dispensed Per Pharmacy Claim Per ParticipantUp to 7 years from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2008

The number of albuterol canisters dispensed was used as a surrogate marker of asthma symptoms.

Mean Asthma-related Costs in the Post-index PeriodUp to 7 years from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2008

Asthma-related costs were calculated as pharmacy costs, medical costs, and total asthma (pharmacy plus medical) costs. Medical costs were made up of asthma-related visits, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and medical office visits. Pharmacy costs were comprised of all asthma-related medications used during the follow-up period. Medical services were identified by place of service and PharMetrics-specific confinement codes. Prescriptions were counted by 30-day fills, with fills less than 30 days rounded up to indicate one fill.

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