title: Different bronchodilator combinations have similar effects on health status in COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main treatment in COPD consists of bronchodilator agents. As the severity of disease increases, combined bronchodilators are preferred in place of single agents. Since there is a weak correlation between well being and spirometric parameters, additional life quality questionnaires are used.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to investigate whether different bronchodilator combinations have similar effects on quality of life measures in COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty male patients with COPD were randomized into three groups. After a two-week run-in period, life quality scores were determined using the Turkish version of St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Group 1 was given ipratropium + theophylline (IP + THEO); Group 2 formoterol + theophylline (FOR + THEO) and Group 3 ipratropium + formoterol (IP + FOR). After a 12-week treatment period, symptom, activity and impact scores were again determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with baseline, all component scores and total scores improved significantly (Delta total score: 16, 15 and 17 units in Groups I, II, and III, respectively), but there was no significant change between groups (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to these results, combined bronchodilator treatments have a significant effect on life quality in COPD, but the effects were observed to be similar between the three different combinations tested.
authors.affiliation: Chest Disease Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fusun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Basyigit
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Hasim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boyaci
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilgazli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents