Risk of Pneumonia in Patients with COPD Initiating Fixed Dose Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) / Long-Acting Bronchodilator (LABD) Formulations Containing Extrafine Beclometasone Dipropionate versus Patients Initiating LABD Without ICS

BACKGROUND: Combined ICS and long-acting bronchodilators (LABD) more effectively reduce COPD exacerbations than LABD therapy alone. Corticosteroid-related adverse effects, including pneumonia, limit ICS use. Previous data suggest this risk is lower for extrafine beclometasone (ef-BDP). We compared pneumonia risk among new users of fixed dose ICS/LABD formulations containing ef-BDP, versus patients initiating LABD without any ICS. METHODS: A propensity-matched historical cohort study design used data from OPCRD. COPD patients with

• Price, D.
• Henley, W.
• Cançado, J. E. D.
• Fabbri, L. M.
• Kerstjens, H. A. M.
• Papi, A.
• Roche, N.
• Şen, E.
• Singh, D.
• Vogelmeier, C. F.
• Nudo, E.
• Carter, V.
• Skinner, D.
• Vella, R.
• Soriano, J. B.
• Kots, M.
• Georges, G.