Fluticasone Propionate-salmeterol Combination Adherence in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Mean Number of Pharmacy Claims by Participants During the Post-Index Period [ Time Frame: One Year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The mean number of pharmacy claims incurred by participants during the one-year post-index period was measured.
• Mean Number of Healthcare Encounters Incurred by Participants During the Post-Index Period [ Time Frame: One Year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The mean number of outpatient office visits, inpatient visits, and emergency department visits incurred by participants during the one-year post-index period was measured.

The specific aim of this study is to describe 1 year Advair dispensing rates for patients with COPD, and to measure the association between Advair adherence and healthcare utilization (e.g. emergency room visits and inpatient admissions, etc.). To compare the risk of a COPD exacerbation (moderate or severe) during a 3-month follow-up period between patients thqat are adherent versus those that are not.

Patients 40 years of age or older with at least one pharmacy claim for FSC during the index date range (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006). An index date was designated as the date of the first pharmacy claim for FSC. Patients were also required to have continuous medical and pharmacy eligibility for the 12 month pre-Index year and the 12 month Index year (referred to as the 24 month observation period), and the 3 month post-Index outcome period (referred to as the outcome period). Eligible patients were further required to have at least one medical claim with a diagnosis (either primary or secondary) of COPD (ICD-9-CM code 490.xx, 491.xx, 492.xx, and 496), AND at least 1 pharmacy claim for an anticholinergic medication, both occurring during the12 month pre-index period.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

• at least one pharmacy claim for Advair (any strength; Diskus or MDI) during the index year (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006).
• Continuous medical and pharmacy eligibility for the 12 month Pre-Index year and the 12 month Index year (referred to as the 24 month Observation Period), and the 3 month Post-Index period (referred to as the Outcome Period).
• At least one medical claim with a diagnosis (either primary or secondary) of COPD (ICD-9 code 490.xx, 491.xx, 492.xx, and 496), AND at least 1 pharmacy claim for an Anticholinergic medication, both occurring during the12 month pre-index period.
• At least 40 years old at index date.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

• any medical claim (ever) with a primary or secondary diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (ICD-9 code 277.0x).