Tiotropium therapy and mortality risk in COPD patients: the most severe, the most protected? Evaluation of Celli B, Decramer M, Kesten S, et al. Mortality in the 4-year trial of tiotropium (UPLIFT) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009; 180(10): 948-55.
BACKGROUND
Tiotropium bromidum is an inhaled long acting anticholinergic used as first line monotherapy in stable COPD due to its beneficial effects on the lung function, respiratory symptoms, quality of life or disease morbidity. However there is limited data on its effects on mortality.


METHODS
The results of the UPLIFT (Understanding Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium) study evaluating the effects of 4 year therapy with tiotropium on above mentioned outcomes including mortality.


RESULTS
Tiotropium demonstrated an uniform beneficial effect on mortality risk reduction but subset analyses yielded relevant results as well.


CONCLUSIONS
On long-term basis tiotropium therapy can reduce mortality rate overall and can exert such protective effects in various subsets such as patients with very severe COPD.
Sampablo
Italo
I
Hospiten, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Avenida Bonampak Lote 7, Quintana Roo, Cancun, Mexico.
Carone
Mauro
M
Antoniu
Sabina Antonela
SA
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide