GPs therapeutic preferences regarding the choice of inhaled treatment for patients with the diagnosis of asthma or COPD

Objectives: To evaluate general practitioners’ (GPs) therapeutic preferences in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as the determinants of these preferences.

Material and methods: A questionnaire study, carried out by GPs from all over the country in a group of patients diagnosed with asthma or COPD.

Results: The study involved 375 GPs, 56% of them with over 20-years work experience. The survey was performed on a group of 8,040 patients (4,106 men – 51%). The average patient age was 53 years. Among

the respondents, 51.4% were diagnosed with asthma, in 67.7% of cases assessed as controlled, 51.9% of patients with COPD were enrolled in category B. In the chronic treatment of asthma, doctors usually chose: salbutamol in the group of short acting β2-agonists (SABA) (74.1%), fluticasone in the group of inhaled corticosteroids (GKS) (72%), and salmeterol in the group of long acting β2-agonists (LABA) (82%). Out of preparations used

in a combined inhaler, 90% of physicians chose salmeterol and fluticasone. In the treatment of chronic COPD, the doctors most frequently chose: salbutamol in the SABA group (59.5%), and salmeterol in the LABA group (75.4%). Out of preparations used in a combined inhaler, 89.9% of physicians chose salmeterol and fluticasone. The declared factors influencing the choice of medication were its efficacy and safety profile, as well as a positive personal experience.

Conclusions: The drug preferred by GPs from the LAMA group in the treatment of asthma and COPD is salmeterol, both in the form of a single preparation, or in a combination with the inhaled GKS administered

together in the form of one inhaler. The inhaled steroid,

the most commonly combined with salmeterol, is fluticasone. In the case of SABA, the most common choice is salbutamol. The key factors determining the treatment choice of a Primary Care Physician are proven efficacy and safety profile of the medication, as well as a positive personal experience with the particular drug.