SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion) today announced results of recent health outcomes research about the use of inhaler devices and associated patient outcomes among COPD patients at the Society of Hospital Medicine’s (SHM) Hospital Medicine 2016 (HM16) conference in San Diego, California. The data, shared through two poster presentations, showcase Sunovion’s commitment to advancing COPD treatment and patient care.
“The more we understand about the relationship between device selection and its association with patient satisfaction and health status in the complex world of COPD treatment and management, the greater difference we can make in developing medications and device-drug combinations, that can improve patients’ lives.”
The findings from these real-world observational studies emphasize the need for routine assessment of COPD patients’ ability to use hand-held inhalation devices prior to treatment selection in hospital and community settings. The first study showed that low inhaler confidence and incorrect device technique may be associated with reduced patient satisfaction and poorer health status among COPD patients. A second study demonstrated that a significant proportion of COPD patients received dry powder inhaler treatments despite experiencing sub-optimal peak inspiratory flow rate.
“At Sunovion, we are committed to understanding how COPD treatments impact patient outcomes in real-world settings,” said Krithika Rajagopalan, Vice President, Head of Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. “The more we understand about the relationship between device selection and its association with patient satisfaction and health status in the complex world of COPD treatment and management, the greater difference we can make in developing medications and device-drug combinations, that can improve patients’ lives.”
Confidence in correct inhaler device technique and its association with health status and patient satisfaction: an analysis of real-world U.S. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. (Abstract #7330)
This real-world observational study of COPD practice patterns, patient preference and outcomes collected data through a large nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of U.S. physicians treating COPD and their patients. Assessments included in the analysis were drawn from physician and patient reports on the level of patient confidence with using the correct inhaler technique, COPD related health status measured by CAT (COPD Assessment Test) and patient satisfaction with their inhaler devices. At least one in three COPD patients reported low level of confidence with correct use of inhaler regardless of the type of hand-held device they used. Study results also showed that patients reporting low level of confidence with inhaler usage had significantly poorer COPD related health outcomes and treatment satisfaction as compared with patients having high level of confidence with inhaler usage. The study findings suggest that approaches to improve patient inhaler technique, or using alternative delivery mechanisms like the use of nebulizers when appropriate should be considered to ensure optimal patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
Analysis of real-world treatment patterns among hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with low peak inspiratory flow: interim findings from a prospective observational study. (Abstract #8602)
Peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) is a measure of a patient’s inspiratory effort to deliver medication via a dry powder inhaler (DPI) such as Diskus®. A PIFR = 60L/min with a particular DPI is considered optimal to achieve bronchodilation.1,2 In a prospective observational study at seven U.S. clinical sites, PIFR measured using the In-Check Dial® device and data on treatment patterns were collected from the first 100 patients enrolled at hospital discharge following treatment for a COPD exacerbation. Interim findings indicated that one in every four COPD patients discharged from a hospital following treatment for an exacerbation achieved PIFR < 60 L/min using resistance of the Diskus® device. However, 70 percent of patients with PIFR < 60 L/min in this research were receiving medications via DPIs, including Diskus® at discharge. These results indicate that COPD patients in real life may have difficulty in experiencing optimal peak inspiratory flow rate using commonly used devices. Routine PIFR assessment among COPD patients before hospital discharge may help guide treatment related decisions and to consequently improve post-discharge care.
About COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is a progressive respiratory disease that causes worsening obstruction to airflow in the lungs over time.3 Approximately 15.7 million adults in the U.S. report that they have been diagnosed with COPD.4 It is estimated that several million more adults have undiagnosed COPD.5 COPD is responsible for over 120,000 deaths per year, making it the third leading cause of death in the U.S.5 COPD develops slowly and the symptoms often worsen over time, potentially limiting the ability to perform routine activities.3 Symptoms of COPD include constant coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, excess production of mucus in the lungs, the inability to breathe deeply and the feeling of being unable to breathe.5
About Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion)
Sunovion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the innovative application of science and medicine to help people with serious medical conditions. Sunovion’s spirit of innovation is driven by the conviction that scientific excellence paired with meaningful advocacy and relevant education can improve lives. The Company has charted new paths to life-transforming treatments that reflect ongoing investments in research and development and an unwavering commitment to support people with psychiatric, neurological, and respiratory conditions. Sunovion’s track record of discovery, development and commercialization of important therapies has included Brovana® (arformoterol tartrate), Latuda® (lurasidone HCI), and most recently Aptiom® (eslicarbazepine acetate).
Headquartered in Marlborough, Mass. Sunovion is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd., based in London, England, and Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario, are wholly-owned direct subsidiaries of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Additional information can be found on the Company’s web sites: www.sunovion.com, www.sunovion.eu and www.sunovion.ca. Connect with Sunovion on Twitter @Sunovion and LinkedIn.
About Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.
Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is a top-ten listed pharmaceutical company in Japan. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma aims to produce innovative pharmaceutical products in the Psychiatry & Neurology area and the Oncology area, which have been designated as the focus therapeutic areas. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is based on the merger in 2005 between Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Today, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has about 7,000 employees worldwide. Additional information about Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is available through its corporate website at www.ds-pharma.com.
BROVANA is a registered trademark of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
LATUDA is a registered trademark of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.
APTIOM is used under license from BIAL.
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.
© 2016 Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
For a copy of this release, visit Sunovion’s web site at www.sunovion.com
References
1 Al-Showair RA, Tarsin WY, et al. Respir Med. 2007;101:2395-2401
2 Janssens W, VandenBrande P, et al. Eur Respir J.2008;31:78-83.
3 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. What Is COPD? Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/. Accessed: February 22, 2016
4 MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Employment and Activity Limitations Among Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease — United States, 2013. March 27, 2015; 64(11). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/
5 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “What is COPD?” Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/copd/what-is-copd/index.htm. Accessed: April 20, 2015
Contacts
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Patrick Gaffey, 508-357-7740
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
patrick.gaffey@sunovion.com
