title: Tiotropium improves walking endurance in COPD.
abstract: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-week treatment with tiotropium on walking capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After familiarisation with study procedures, 36 patients were randomised to receive tiotropium 18 μg once daily or a matching placebo in a double-blind, parallel-group study. Pre- (trough) and 2-h post-dose pulmonary function was measured. An endurance shuttle walk was then completed. The same procedures were repeated after 3 weeks of treatment. Ventilatory parameters were monitored during exercise. At 3 weeks, tiotropium significantly improved walking endurance time in comparison with placebo, with a mean±sd between-group difference of 128±141 s (p=0.017). At 3 weeks, trough values for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly improved with tiotropium in comparison with placebo. The post-dose response to tiotropium was statistically superior to placebo after the first dose and after 3 weeks of treatment for FEV(1), FVC and inspiratory capacity. Ventilation and tidal volume at the end of walking were significantly improved with tiotropium. 3 weeks of tiotropium resulted in a greater walking endurance in patients with COPD. Improvements in FEV(1), maximal ventilation and tidal volume may contribute to this enhanced exercise capacity.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, 2725, Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, G1V 4G5 Canada.
authors.forename: M-E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bédard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brouillard
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pepin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Provencher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milot
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lacasse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leblanc
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maltais
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide