Multivariate Analyses of Mometasone Furoate versus Fixed Dose Combination of Salmeterol and Fluticasone Propionate in Mild Persistent Asthma Using an Administrative Claims Database

RATIONALE: A series of multivariate retrospective administrative claims database analyses to compare the impact on treatment charges and patient health outcomes between mometasone furoate inhaler (MF, Asmanex®) and the fixed-dose combination inhaler of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol (FPS, Advair®) in the mild, persistent asthma patient population was conducted. METHODS: Patients with mild, persistent asthma were identified in the Ingenix LabRx database from October 2001 through December 2007. Patient demographic, drug utilization and outcome data were collected for both a 1 year pre-index and post-index period (the index date corresponding to the first MF or FPS prescription filled). A 1:1 propensity score match using select pre-index variables yielded a sample of 4,480 patients (2,240 in each drug cohort). Multivariate generalized linear regression models (GLM) were built for different outcome variables (exacerbations, short acting beta-agonist (SABA) use, adherence, and asthma-related charges) using demographic, comorbidity and pre-index disease severity indicators as independent variables. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the number of exacerbation events, SABA use and adherence rates between the two cohorts. However, FPS patients had significantly more asthma-related drug charges ($881 vs $790, p < 0.0001) and also higher overall asthma-related treatment charges than MF patients ($2,365 vs $2,293, p = 0.0285). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the number of exacerbation events, SABA use and adherence between MF and FPS patients but MF was associated with lower asthma-related drug charges and lower overall asthma-related charges when compared to FPS.