Anticholinergic therapy for bronchiectasis.
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.
Lasserson
T
T
Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, UK, SW17 0RE. tlassers@sghms.ac.uk
Holt
K
K
Evans
D
D
Greenstone
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists