Table 1.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease maintenance medicine attributes and levels

Attribute 1: How well the maintenance medicine relieve symptoms

Level 1: Little or no relief of symptoms after taking the maintenance medicine

Level 2: Some relief of symptoms after taking the maintenance medicine

Level 3: Complete relief of symptoms after taking the maintenance medicine

Attribute 2: How quickly you feel the maintenance medicine start to work

Level 1: Feel maintenance medicine begin to work within 5 min of taking it

Level 2: Feel maintenance medicine begin to work within 20 min of taking it

Level 3: Feel maintenance medicine begin to work within 30 min or more of taking it

Attribute 3: How easy it is to use your inhaler device

Level 1: Inhaler is quick and easy to use

Level 2: Inhaler requires some practice and care to use

Level 3: Inhaler is more difficult and time-consuming to use

Attribute 4: Rescue (quick-relief) medicine use

Level 1: Rarely need to use rescue (quick-relief) inhaler, 1–2 times per week or less

Level 2: Need to use rescue (quick-relief) inhaler 3–5 times per week

Level 3: Need to use rescue (quick-relief) inhaler every day

Attribute 5: Side effects of maintenance medicine

Level 1: No side effects

Level 2: Mild side effects, but they do not interfere with taking the medicine

Level 3: Moderate to severe side effects that may stop you from taking the medicine

Attribute 6: Out-of-pocket cost of maintenance medicine

Level 1: $5 per month

Level 2: $25 per month

Level 3: $50 per month