Quality of life changes in COPD patients treated with salmeterol

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997 Apr;155(4):1283-9. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.155.4.9105068.

Abstract

Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following treatment with placebo, salmeterol 50 microg twice a day or 100 microg twice a day by metered-dose inhaler. Patients completed the disease-specific St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) at baseline and after 16 wk of treatment. Data from 283 patients (95 patients in the placebo group and 94 in each salmeterol group) were available for HRQoL analysis. Apart from a small difference in ages, all treatment groups were well matched at baseline in terms of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and HRQoL scores. Compared with placebo, salmeterol 50 microg twice a day was associated with significant improvements in SGRQ "Total" and "Impacts" scores which exceeded the threshold for a clinically significant change. This was not seen with salmeterol 100 microg twice a day. Changes in SGRQ and SF-36 scores correlated. They also showed a weak but significant relationship with FEV1. This study has shown that a modest change in lung function may be associated with clinically significant gain in health and well-being in COPD patients.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Albuterol / administration & dosage
  • Albuterol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Albuterol / therapeutic use
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Salmeterol Xinafoate
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Salmeterol Xinafoate
  • Albuterol