[Salmeterol and fluticason and mortality in COPD patients]

Abstract

In this study 6,112 COPD patients were treated with salmeterol 50 microg bid, fluticason 500 microg bid, salmeterol/fluticason combination 50/500 microg bid (SFK) or placebo for 3 years. The primary effect parameter was mortality and 875 patients had died after 3 years. Hazard ratio for death for SFK compared with placebo was 0.825, 95% confidence interval 0.681-1.002, p=0.052, or an absolute risk reduction of 2.6%. Active treatment reduced exacerbations and improved quality of life and lung function. The risk of pneumonia was higher in the fluticason and SFK treated groups than in the placebo group.