Outcomes for Medicare Asthma Patients Taking Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Xinafoate Combination Versus Inhaled Corticosteroids or Other Combination Therapy
Outcomes for Medicare Asthma Patients Taking Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Xinafoate Combination Versus Inhaled Corticosteroids or Other Combination Therapy
The objective of this study is to compare healthcare utilization and costs in
 Medicare-eligible asthma patients (aged >65) who receive fluticasone propionate/salmeterol
 xinafoate combination or inhaled corticosteroids in a typical clinical practice using a
 retrospective observational cohort study design of large managed care database. Outcomes on
 interest include asthma related severe exacerbations defined as asthma related emergency
 department visits, hospitalizations or combined emergency department/hospitalization. Other
 outcomes of interest include use of albuterol, oral corticosteroids and overall asthma
 related costs. Outcomes of interest will be compared between the two treatment cohorts
 (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate combination or inhaled corticosteroids).
 Dichotomous outcomes (emergency visits, hospitalizations etc) will be compared using Cox
 regression hazards analysis assessing time to first event for each asthma related endpoint
 adjusting for differences in baseline demographics such as age, gender, previous asthma
 medication use, co morbidities, costs, and plan demographics. Total asthma related costs will
 also be compared using generalized linear models adjusting for baseline differences.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Subjects with asthma as determined by ICD-9 codes and asthma drug use

 -  at least 65 years of age

 -  prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or

 -  a prescription for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment