An Open-Label, Multicentre, Observational, Post-Marketing Study to Monitor the Safety and Effectiveness of Umeclidinium/Vilanterol in Korean Patients

BACKGROUND: Umeclidinium/vilanterol (UMEC/VI; ANORO ELLIPTA, GSK) is a commonly used dual bronchodilator. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of UMEC/VI in Korean patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) over a 6-year period. METHODS: This was an open-label, multicentre, observational, post-marketing surveillance study. A total of 3,375 patients were enrolled consecutively in 52 hospitals, by 53 physicians, between July 2014 and July 2020. Patients who were administered UMEC/VI (fixed-dose 62.5 μg/25 μg) at least once and were monitored for safety and effectiveness were included in the analysis. Incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) reported after administrating at least one dose of UMEC/VI were monitored, including unexpected adverse events (UAEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Effectiveness of UMEC/VI after 24 weeks of administration was also assessed using physician’s evaluation (effective, ineffective/no change, worsening, indeterminable) and lung function improvement. RESULTS: Of 3,375 patients, 3,086 were included in the safety assessment group (mean age±standard deviation: 69.76±8.80 years; 85.9% male [n=2,652]; 73.1% aged ≥65 years [n=2,255]). The overall incidence of AEs was 28.8% (n=890), of which 2.2% (n=67) were ADRs. Serious AEs and UAEs were reported in 181 (5.9%) and 665 (21.6%) patients, respectively, and two patients (<0.1%) reported unexpected severe ADR. Of the 903/3,086 patients analysed for effectiveness, most (82.8%, n=748) showed overall disease improvement after UMEC/VI treatment. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed UMEC/VI administered to Korean patients according to the prescribing information was well-tolerated and can be considered an effective option for COPD treatment.