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Research News
September 26, 2008
COPD Medications May Increase Mortality
A study by investigators at HSR&D's Center for Complex Chronic Care Management examined the association between medication use for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and risk of mortality in veterans with newly diagnosed COPD. The study, published in the September 16 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, was led by the Todd Lee, PhD, PharmD.
Using VA, Medicare and Medicaid data, investigators assessed all-cause, respiratory, and cardiovascular-related deaths among veterans ages 45 and older using VA healthcare and diagnosed with COPD between 10/1/99 and 9/30/03. Results indicate that with respect to all-cause mortality, ipratropium, and ipratropium plus theophylline were associated with elevated risk of death, while inhaled corticosteroids were associated with reduced mortality. The study was of particular interest as it was published concurrently with another similar COPD/medication study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The full details of the study are available on the Annals of Internal Medicine website.
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