GSK: Seretide beneficial for COPD patients

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that the results of a study investigating the use of Seretide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The Towards a Revolution in COPD Health (Torch) study investigated the effect of the compound on morbidity and mortality in patients with the lung disease.

In the study, administration with the compound resulted in a reduction in exacerbations – worsening of patient condition often resulting in increased breathing difficulties and hospitalisation.

While the compound was associated with a 17.5 per cent reduction in the risk of patient death, this decrease did not meet the level of statistical significance originally set out by investigators.

Those patients receiving the drug reported improved lung function and quality of life, with health status remaining above the baseline following three years of treatment.

Peter Calverly, lead investigator of the study, said: “The steering committee for Torch believes that these results are clinically important and have progressed our understanding of this disabling and potentially fatal disease.”

He added that consequently physicians would be able to make better informed choices regarding patient treatment and management.

GSK first announced the results of the Torch study in March 2006.