title: The effect of tiotropium on exacerbations and airflow in patients with COPD.
abstract: This randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, 1-yr study compared the effect of tiotropium 18 microg once daily (n=500) and placebo (n=510) on exacerbations, associated health resource use (HRU) and airflow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The mean+/-sd number of exacerbations during the past year was 2.14+/-1.40, the mean weekly morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) was 259.6+/-96.1 L.min-1 and the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 1.37+/-0.45 L. Tiotropium significantly delayed the time to first exacerbation by approximately 100 days, reduced the proportion of patients experiencing more than one exacerbation by 17%, and decreased the number of exacerbations by 35% and exacerbation days by 37% versus placebo. Tiotropium also decreased HRU versus placebo, as indicated by the significant reductions in the use of concomitant respiratory medications, antibiotics and oral steroids, and the number of unscheduled physician contacts. Mean weekly morning PEF improved significantly with tiotropium versus placebo from week 1 until the end of the study. At the end of the study, tiotropium significantly improved trough (pre-dose) FEV1, forced vital capacity, slow vital capacity and inspiratory capacity versus placebo. In conclusion, tiotropium reduced exacerbations and associated health resource use, and improved airflow over 1 yr in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Cochin, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75679 Paris, Cedex 14, France. daniel.dusser@cch.aphp.fr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dusser
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iacono
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide