Improved medication adherence in COPD patients using tiotropium or tiotropium olodaterol with the HealthPrize digital behavior change program.

Objective: To assess the impact of the HealthPrize RespiPoints™ program on treatment adherence and persistence in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, program participants and nonparticipants receiving tiotropium bromide (TIO) or TIO and olodaterol between 1 January 2015-31 March 2020 were propensity score matched (PSM), from the linked database of the HealthPrize patient list and IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus. Treatment adherence, persistence, healthcare resource utilization, and costs were compared. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the odds of adherence (≥80% proportion of days covered [PDC]), adjusted risk of discontinuation, and adjusted total healthcare costs.
Results: Program participants ( n  = 262) demonstrated a 44% greater adherence during followup than nonparticipants ( n  = 262) (mean [standard deviation] PDC: 0.72 [0.27] vs 0.50 [0.36], p  < 0.0001). Participants had higher odds of adherence vs nonparticipants (adjusted odds ratio: 2.51; 95% confidence interval: 1.72-3.66, p  < 0.0001) and a lower percentage of participants discontinued their index medication (19.85% vs 33.59%, p  = 0.0004). Fewer participants were hospitalized during follow-up (13.74% vs 17.56%, p  = 0.23); adjusted total medical costs were 24% lower ( p  = 0.08). Higher pharmacy costs partially offset lower healthcare costs.
Conclusions: Program participants showed improved COPD medication adherence and persistence compared to nonparticipants.