Prise en charge de la BPCO en pneumologie selon le stade de sévérité

Simulation-Based Estimates of the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in France

BACKGROUND

The medico-economic impact of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is poorly documented.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in a hypothetical cohort of COPD patients.

METHODS

We used a multi-state Markov model, adopting society's perspective. Simulated cohorts of French GOLD stage 2 to 4 COPD patients with and without pulmonary rehabilitation were compared in terms of life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), disease-related costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Sensitivity analyses included variations of key model parameters.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

At the horizon of a COPD patient's remaining lifetime, pulmonary rehabilitation would result in mean gain of 0.8 QALY, with an over disease-related costs of 14 102 € per patient. The ICER was 17 583 €/QALY. Sensitivity analysis showed that pulmonary rehabilitation was cost-effective in every scenario (ICER <50 000 €/QALY).

CONCLUSIONS

These results should provide a useful basis for COPD pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

[Respimat®, first Soft Mist™ inhaler: new perspectives in the management of COPD]

INTRODUCTION

In COPD, inhaler choice should be based on the likelihood that the patient will be able to use the device correctly in order to favour adherence and compliance, and therefore treatment efficacy. SATE OF THE ART: Performances of usual inhalers are limited by the necessity of a good coordination of patient inspiration and inhaler activation (pressurized metered dose inhalers), or a sufficient inspiratory flow (dry powder inhalers). Respimat®, the first "Soft Mist™ inhaler" (SMI), releases the drug solution as a low and sustained soft mist, so that lung deposition is both improved and reproducible.

PERSPECTIVES

In clinical studies, Respimat® has been shown to allow equivalent bronchodilator response and tolerability to metered dose or dry powder inhalers, but with lower doses of active drugs. Furthermore, studies assessing inhaler preference in COPD showed that patients preferred Respimat® to usual inhalers.

CONCLUSION

Respimat® SMI offers new perspectives for the management of chronic respiratory diseases, particularly in newly diagnosed or poorly compliant patients.