Dual bronchodilation with QVA149 reduces patient-reported dyspnoea in COPD: the BLAZE study

We evaluated the effect of QVA149, a dual bronchodilator combining indacaterol and glycopyrronium, on direct patient-reported dyspnoea in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. In this multicentre, blinded, double-dummy, three-period crossover study, 247 patients were randomised to once-daily QVA149 110/50 μg, placebo or tiotropium 18 μg. Superiority of QVA149 versus placebo (primary objective) and tiotropium (secondary objective) was assessed for improvement in dyspnoea via the Self-Administered Computerised (SAC) version of the Baseline and Transition Dyspnoea Index (BDI/TDI) after 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints included lung function, rescue medication use and safety. After 6 weeks, the SAC TDI total score was significantly higher with QVA149 versus placebo (least squares mean [LSM] treatment difference: 1.37, p versus placebo and tiotropium at Day 1 and Week 6 (all p versus placebo (p Once-daily QVA149 provided superior improvements in patient-reported dyspnoea and lung function versus placebo and tiotropium. These benefits were associated with improvements in other symptoms and reduced use of rescue medication.