Efficacy and Safety of Roflumilast in Korean Patients with COPD.

Jae Seung Lee; Yoon Ki Hong; Tae Sun Park; Sei Won Lee; Yeon-Mok Oh; Sang-Do Lee

Purpose: Roflumilast is the only oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients [post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <50% predicted] with chronic bronchitis and a history of frequent exacerbations. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of roflumilast in Korean patients with COPD and compared the efficacy based on the severity of airflow limitation. Materials and Methods: A post-hoc subgroup analysis was performed in Korean COPD patients participating in JADE, a 12-week, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase III trial in Asia. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean [leastsquares mean adjusted for covariates (LSMean)] change in post-bronchodilator FEV1 from baseline to each post-randomization visit. Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs) and changes in laboratory values, vital signs, and electrocardiograms. Results: A total of 260 Korean COPD patients were recruited, of which 207 were randomized to roflumilast (n=102) or placebo (n=105) treatment. After 12 weeks, LSMean post-bronchodilator FEV1 increased by 43 mL for patients receiving roflumilast and decreased by 60 mL for those taking placebo. Adverse events were more common in the roflumilast group than in the placebo group; however, the types and frequency of AEs were comparable to those reported in previous studies. Conclusion: Roflumilast significantly improved lung function with a tolerable safety profile in Korean COPD patients irrespective of the severity of airflow limitation.

OBSTRUCTIVE lung disease treatment; PHOSPHODIESTERASE inhibitors; MEDICATION safety; DRUG efficacy; ORAL medicine; KOREANS; DISEASE exacerbation; HEALTH; THERAPEUTICS

Yonsei Medical Journal, 2016, Vol 57, Issue 4, p928

0513-5796

Academic Journal

10.3349/ymj.2016.57.4.928