title: [Effectiveness of treatment with tiotropium in patients who suffer from COPD].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the clinical and functional changes taking place in patients diagnosed of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have been treated with ipratropium bromide, three months after this medicament was replaced by the new tiotropium bromide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective intervention survey was carried out in a primary health-care area in patients who suffered from COPD who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Before changing the treatment and three months after changing it, we carried out the following procedures: spirometry, 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) with pulsioximetry before and after the exercise, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and assessment of: patient's chronic dyspnea, degree of patient's compliance, adverse effects and degree of satisfaction with the new drug.
  
  
  RESULTS
  24 patients (22 males and 2 females) with a mean age of 68.54 years participated in the survey. The FVC improved a 4.92% (120 ml) [p = .27] and the FEV1, 14.16% (170 ml) [p < .001]. The degree of compliance arose from 67.54% to 96.73% (p < .001), the degree of dyspnea decreased from 4.63 to 3.89 (p = .141), the 6MWT increased in 23.79 m (p = .027) and the global mark of the SGRQ reduced (improved) in 13.35 points. There were adverse effects in 5 cases (mouth dryness in 4 patients and headache in 1 of them) and 15 patients (62.5%) said the new drug was better.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most analyzed parameters had positive changes three months after changing the treatment. Tiotropium may be a valid alternative in the treatment of patients suffering from COPD in a stable stage.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Santa María de Benquerencia, Toledo, Spain. ijd02@hotmail.com
authors.forename: José Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Jaén Díaz
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Castro Mesa
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cordero García
authors.forename: M José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gontán García-Salamanca
authors.forename: Sonsoles
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Callejas Pérez
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López de Castro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide