Effect of pharmacotherapy on rate of decline of lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from the TORCH study

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008 Aug 15;178(4):332-8. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200712-1869OC. Epub 2008 May 29.

Abstract

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an accelerated decline in lung function. No drug has been shown conclusively to reduce this decline.

Objectives: In a post hoc analysis of the Toward a Revolution in COPD Health (TORCH) study, we investigated the effects of combined salmeterol 50 microg plus fluticasone propionate 500 microg, either component alone or placebo, on the rate of post-bronchodilator FEV(1) decline in patients with moderate or severe COPD.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted from September 2000 to November 2005 in 42 countries. Of 6,112 patients from the efficacy population, 5,343 were included in this analysis.

Measurements and main results: Spirometry was measured every 24 weeks for 3 years. There were 26,539 on-treatment observations. The adjusted rate of decline in FEV(1) was 55 ml/year for placebo, 42 ml/year for salmeterol, 42 ml/year for fluticasone propionate, and 39 ml/year for salmeterol plus fluticasone propionate. Salmeterol plus fluticasone propionate reduced the rate of FEV(1) decline by 16 ml/year compared with placebo (95% confidence interval [CI], 7-25; P < 0.001). The difference was smaller for fluticasone propionate and salmeterol compared with placebo (13 ml/year; 95% CI, 5-22; P = 0.003). Rates of decline were similar among the active treatment arms. FEV(1) declined faster in current smokers and patients with a lower body mass index, and varied between world regions. Patients who exacerbated more frequently had a faster FEV(1) decline.

Conclusions: Pharmacotherapy with salmeterol plus fluticasone propionate, or the components, reduces the rate of decline of FEV(1) in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, thus slowing disease progression. Clinical trial (GSK Study Code SCO30003) registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00268216).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Aged
  • Albuterol / administration & dosage
  • Albuterol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Androstadienes / administration & dosage*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Disease Progression
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fluticasone
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / mortality
  • Risk Factors
  • Salmeterol Xinafoate
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Spirometry
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Androstadienes
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Salmeterol Xinafoate
  • Fluticasone
  • Albuterol

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00268216