Spiriva Respimat Inhalation Spray Reduces the Rates of Asthma Exacerbation

Recently, researchers have retrospectively analyzed the real-life data regarding the use of Spiriva Respimat Inhalation Sprays. The findings of this study were reported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and represented at the 2020 Annual Scientific Session of the Western Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (WSAAI) in Hawaii.

The findings suggest that the patients using Spiriva Respimat Inhalation Spray 1.25 mcg in combination with a popular class of asthma treatments (LABA+ ICS) showed a greater reduction in the rates of asthma exacerbations compared to the patients receiving only an increased dose of long-acting beta2-agonist and combination inhaled corticosteroid (LABA+ ICS).

In this retrospective study, the researchers analyzed the data of nearly 8,000 adolescents and adults who were experiencing asthma. Asthma may be defined as a chronic respiratory disease, in which a person feels difficulty in breathing.

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Most of the time, an asthma attack or asthma exacerbation is described as severe shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness or pain in the chest. Usually, a person may manage the symptoms of asthma by quick at-home therapy. However, the condition may turn out to be life-threatening and there may be a need for emergency treatment in case of severe asthma exacerbations.

The study compared two groups of asthma patients. One group received Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium bromide) added to LABA+ICS. While the other one was only provided with an increased LABA+ ICS dose or its continued high dose.

On analysis, it was found that the rates of asthma exacerbations and asthma-related hospitalizations were lower in the former group.  It was observed that after a one-year time, the rates of asthma exacerbations were 73 percent lower in patients receiving add-on Spiriva Respimat compared to those who are prescribed with a high dose of LABA+ICS.

A 76 percent reduction in the rates of asthma-related hospitalizations was also found in patients who were using add-on Spiriva Respimat than those receiving a high dose of LABA+ICS. Asthma attacks or exacerbations are a common concern for patients suffering from asthma, said Bradley Chipps.

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He is the Medical Director (MD) of Respiratory Therapy and the Cystic Fibrosis Center, in Sacramento, California and the study’s co-author and investigator. He added that sudden asthma exacerbations or attacks can be disturbing for not only patients but also their families or caregivers. This is the reason why there is a requirement for preventing asthma attacks with treatment.

The prevalence of this disease in the United States was reported to be almost 25 million people. Whereas, an uncontrolled condition was reported in over 60 percent of the adults. It was found that uncontrolled asthma can lead to a reduction in life quality, higher risk of exacerbations, impaired life quality, and increased health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs.

Real-life studies are trials based on observations and their findings cannot be compared with that of clinical trials. As the difference in outcome definitions, study designs, methods of collecting data, and patient populations make it challenging to compare the results of this study to clinical trials or with each other.