New research suggests that certain patients with COPD may benefit from treatment with aclidinium bromide.

In a study with the Federal Joint Committee, patients with COPD grade II used long-acting beta 2 sympathomimetic (like formoterol) and/or tiotropium, while grade III patients with at least two exacerbations per year used an inhaled corticosteroid. The manufacturer company reported that no sufficient new evidence was gathered for grade III patients, which therefore did not merit any further assessment.

So, the researchers determined that adult patients with grade III COPD with fewer than two exacerbations per year had fewer flare ups when using aclidinium bromide when compared to grade III patients on formoterol. However, the researchers called these mixed results about the outcome, saying that the outcomes of the use of aclidinium bromide depended largely o the severity of the COPD disease. There was no advantage for grade II COPD patients taking aclidinium bromide.

Further analysis did not show any relevant differences between the treatment groups or the findings were too similar to show any clear direction, the researchers reported.

There was no data about patients with COPD grade IV with fewer than two exacerbations per year, which is why the researchers were unable to determine any clear benefits for patients outside of grade III. No other patient group seemed to glean any benefit from aclidinium bromide.

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