Different bronchodilator combinations have similar effects on health status in COPD.
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.
Yildiz
Fusun
F
Chest Disease Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Turkey.
Basyigit
Ilknur
I
Yildirim
Elif
E
Boyaci
Hasim
H
Ilgazli
Ahmet
A
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
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents