title: Anticholinergic therapy for bronchiectasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anticholinergic agents block bronchoconstriction mediated by the vagus nerve and may also dry up bronchial secretions. They are effective in obstructive airways disease and may be beneficial in bronchiectasis
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of anticholinergic therapy in acute exacerbations and stable bronchiectasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cochrane Airways Group clinical trials register was searched using the terms bronchiectasis AND anticholinergic OR ipratropium bromide OR tiotropium OR atropine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Only randomised controlled trials were considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers assessed the retrieved studies working independently.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies were identified, of which six were obtained for further scrutiny. One was translated from Italian. None met the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No formal recommendations can be made about the use of anticholinergic therapy in acute or stable bronchiectasis based on the literature currently available.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, UK, SW17 0RE. tlassers@sghms.ac.uk
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lasserson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenstone
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists