Medicare Advantage Population in the United States: Outcomes of Patients with Asthma Treated with ICS/LABA Before and After Initiation with Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI)

Abstract

Introduction

The clinical benefits of fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) have been demonstrated in clinical trials. There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness and economic outcomes associated with FF/UMEC/VI use in US clinical practice. This real-world study assessed asthma-related exacerbations, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and healthcare costs among a Medicare Advantage-insured population before and after initiation of FF/UMEC/VI in patients with asthma previously treated with an inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β₂-agonist (ICS/LABA).

Methods

De-identified data were obtained from the Komodo Health database (01/01/2016–12/31/2023) for adults with asthma who received prior ICS/LABA treatment and had ≥ 12 months of continuous Medicare Advantage coverage both pre- and post-FF/UMEC/VI initiation (index date). Rates of asthma-related exacerbations and HRU were compared using rate ratios (RR) from Poisson regressions. Healthcare costs were calculated per patient per year (PPPY) and compared using mean cost differences from generalized linear models.

Results

In total, 2598 Medicare Advantage-insured patients who initiated FF/UMEC/VI for asthma were included. The mean ± SD age was 67.9 ± 12.3 years; 75.5% were female. The rate of overall asthma-related exacerbations was 31% lower in the post- versus pre-initiation period (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.65, 0.73; p < 0.001) and included a 24% lower rate of inpatient/emergency department (IP/ED)-defined exacerbations (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.68, 0.85; p < 0.001) and a 34% lower rate of systemic corticosteroid (SCS)-defined exacerbations (RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.61, 0.71; p < 0.001). Asthma-related ED visits (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.60, 0.80; p < 0.001) and asthma-related outpatient (OP) visits (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.71, 0.84; p < 0.001) were both lower, and the mean reduction in cost was $411 PPPY (95% CI $575, $248; p < 0.001), after FF/UMEC/VI initiation.

Conclusions

Initiation of FF/UMEC/VI after ICS/LABA treatment among Medicare Advantage-insured patients with asthma was associated with reduced rates of asthma-related exacerbations, ED and OP visits, and healthcare costs, highlighting the benefits of therapy escalation among this patient population.