The
health related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with COPD can be measured using the St
George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), which measures the
impact of the disease on well-being and daily life, and has been
validated for use in patients with chronic respiratory disease (Jones
et al, 1992). A reduction in score of four is considered a
clinically relevant improvement, noticeable by the patient. A worse
quality of life predicts a worse clinical outcome (Osman et al,
1997).
Symbicort
has been shown to provide a meaningful improvement in patients'
health related quality of life (HRQL) (Calverley et al, 2003). Symbicort provided
a sustained reduction in SGRQ score of 7.5 compared to placebo. This
was a superior improvement to that seen with formoterol alone
(reduction of 4.1 versus placebo) and budesonide alone (reduction of
3.0 versus placebo). Symbicort also showed a significant improvement in SGRQ score as compared to budesonide and formoterol alone by 4.1 and 3.4 units respectively.
Symbicort improves HRQL (SGRQ total score)
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