Real-Life Clinical and Functional Effects of Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol-Combined Triple Therapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND Triple therapy consisting of a drug association including an inhaled corticosteroid, a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist and a long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist, delivered via a single device, can be a valuable treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients experiencing frequent disease exacerbations. OBJECTIVES The aim of this real-life, single-center, observational study was to evaluate, in 44 COPD patients with recurrent exacerbations, the effects of the triple inhaled therapy combining fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI). METHODS Within such a therapeutic context, several clinical and lung functional parameters were considered at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment with combined inhaled triple therapy. RESULTS With respect to baseline, after 24 weeks of treatment with FF/UMEC/VI, significant changes were recorded with regard to Modified British Medical Research Council (p < 0.0001) and COPD Assessment Test (p < 0.0001) scores, COPD exacerbations (p < 0.001), forced expiratory volume in the first second (p < 0.001), residual volume (p < 0.01), forced mid-expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (p < 0.0001), inspiratory capacity (p < 0.01), forced vital capacity (p < 0.05), and peak expiratory flow (p < 0.0001). Moreover, in a subgroup of 28 patients, a significant increase of diffusion lung capacity (p < 0.01) was also detected. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our real-life results suggest that triple inhaled therapy with FF/UMEC/VI, when given to COPD patients with frequent exacerbations, is able to positively impact on dyspnea and global health status as well as to significantly decrease COPD exacerbations and improve airflow limitation and lung hyperinflation.