title: Long-acting beta-2-agonists for bronchiectasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptoms of bronchiectasis include chronic productive cough, wheeze, breathlessness and recurrent infections of the lower respiratory tract. Long-acting bronchodilators are being used more frequently in the management of people with this condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilators in the management of bronchiectasis that is not due to cystic fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Bronchiectasis Database made up of trials identified from searching the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and hand-searches of leading respiratory journals. The latest searches were performed in May 2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trials, with or without masking.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results of searches were reviewed against pre-specified criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We were unable to identify any randomised controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilator therapy in the management of bronchiectasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed to establish if long-acting bronchodilators have a role in the management of people with bronchiectasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care & General Practice, Imperial College School of Medicine, Reynolds Building, St Dunstan's Road, London, W6 8RP. aziz.sheikh@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenstone
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents