This 52-week randomised 2 parallel groups study evaluated the superiority of fixed triple therapy with Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) / Long-Acting β2-Agonist (LABA) / Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA) compared with ICS/LABA in patients with severe to very severe diagnosed of COPD.
Patients' eligibility was checked during the screening visit including the review of medical history, spirometry assessments, routine labs, physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), vital signs measurement, prior to entering a 2-week open-label run-in period with BDP/FF to establish a baseline.
After the run-in period, eligible patients were randomised, to either fixed triple therapy BDP/FF/GB or BDP/FF treatment group. During the 52-week treatment period, patients who completed the study did have 5 subsequent visits post randomisation scheduled respectively after 4, 12, 26, 40, and 52 weeks of treatment. During these visits, pre-dose and post-dose spirometry, 12-lead ECG, vital signs, and dyspnoea assessments were performed. Rescue medication use, compliance with the treatment, and EXACT-PRO questionnaire \[EXAcerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Tool (EXACT): a patient-reported outcome (PRO)\] were recorded daily (via an electronic diary) during the run-in and randomised treatment periods.
For pharmacovigilance purposes, adverse events (AE) were recorded from the time of patient informed consent signature until subject's study participation ended (Week 52 or early discontinuation).
