AstraZeneca’s Symbicort combination ‘reduces COPD mortality risk’

A study sponsored by AstraZeneca has found that the introduction of budesonide to formoterol (marketed as Symbicort) reduces the risk of mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The claim comes as part of a study into patients’ experience and recognition of COPD symptoms, which found that exacerbations impair health-related quality of life.

The results showed that physicians underestimate the psychological effects caused by an exacerbation of COPD symptoms. Some 12 per cent of patients said they were worried about dying, a tenth said they were concerned about suffocating, a further tenth were worried about a permanent worsening in their condition and eight per cent stated that they were anxious about being hospitalised.

Health-related quality of life was found to be the strongest indicator of mortality in COPD patients and the addition of budenoside to formoterol could reduce the risk of mortality, compared to using bronchodilators alone.

The study’s lead investigator, Professor Romain Kessler of the department of pulmonology at the Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, remarked: “The observation that physicians fail to appreciate the considerable changes to the patient’s emotional wellbeing demonstrates a communications gap between patients and their doctors and represents a dilemma in the management of COPD.

“This is worrying since the existing evidence shows that early medical intervention improves recovery time, minimises the risk of hospitalisation and improves health-related quality of life.”

The professor concluded: “A clear link between increased exacerbation frequency and risk of mortality has also been demonstrated.”

In AstraZeneca’s first quarter, Symbicort sales reached $277 million. It was highlighted by the company as one of its “key growth products”.

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