Commonly Prescribed Medications Among Patients in Hospice Care for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose: End-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents health care providers with challenges of providing optimal palliative care for patients who follow a less predictable trajectory. The objectives of this study were to evaluate medications being prescribed to patients with end-stage COPD, compared to recommendations made by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, and to determine which medications were provided by the hospice organization. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our database for medications pertaining to COPD management as stated in the GOLD criteria or those used for symptoms associated with end of life. Results: A total of 745 patients met inclusion criteria, and approximately 63% were prescribed opioids. Prescribing rates for oxygen, short-acting (2)-agonists, and short-acting anticholinergics were 37%, 33%, and 31%, respectively. Systemic and inhaled corticosteroids were prescribed at higher rates of 20% and 18% compared to long-acting bronchodilators. Discussion: Medications used for COPD exacerbation management were prescribed at higher rate than those used for maintenance treatment.