A study published in Pulmonary Therapy found that treatment with the Aerobika oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device can significantly reduce the recurrence of COPD exacerbations in the 30-day period following hospitalization or ER visits, according to a news release by manufacturer Monaghan Medical Corp.

In addition, the per-patient cost of exacerbations was significantly lower for patients using the device, compared to usual care, said Monaghan, who added that the study was the first to provide real-world evidence of the device’s benefits in reducing exacerbation-related emergency department visits and hospital readmissions.

“This is the first study to evaluate the benefits of any OPEP in a real-world setting. It provides encouraging evidence that the Aerobika device can help reduce recurrence of exacerbations in high-risk patients over the crucial early 30-day period,” Dr Michael Bauer, Pulmonary Physician, Cooperstown, New York, said in a press release.

The retrospective study analyzed hospital database records for 810 COPD patients with a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis who were hospitalized or visited the ER. Of the patients, 405 received treatment with Aerobika and 405 matched controls.

Data showed:

  • Significantly fewer patients given the Aerobika device experienced moderate-to-severe exacerbations (18.5% vs 25.7%, p=0.014)
  • Fewer fewer patients given the Aerobika device experienced severe exacerbations (13.5% vs 19.0%; p<0.046) compared with matched controls over the 30-day follow-up period, with consequent reductions in costs.