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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Pharmacotherapy of COPD in Central and Eastern Europe - The POPE study

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Introduction: In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is high. It remains unknown whether patients are treated in line with GOLD recommendations or according to their phenotypes. Our aim was to analyze the treatment patterns of COPD in CEE. Methods: In the frame of the POPE study (ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT02119494) data including pharmacotherapy were collected in patients with stable COPD across 11 CEE countries. Results: 3366 patients (66±9 yrs, 70% male, FEV 1 53±18%) participated in the study. In all GOLD categories, the most widely used medications were long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA), followed by long-acting antimuscarinic agents (LAMA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Overall 98.8% of ICS were prescribed in combination with LABA and/or LAMA. LAMA/LABA/ICS was used by 45% patients. ICS were prescribed not in line with GOLD recommendations in 38% of the participants; furthermore 52% of infrequent exacerbators received ICS. In GOLD group A, the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) was the only independent predictor of ICS use. In GOLD group B, independent predictors of ICS and of triple combination use were ACOS, an exacerbation within the last year, and COPD assessment test (CAT) score (p *p Conclusion: In CEE, the adherence to GOLD recommendations or to the phenotypic approach is not optimal. The presence of ACOS, exacerbation history and CAT score predict ICS use in GOLD groups A and B.