title: Effects of beclomethasone/formoterol fixed combination on lung hyperinflation and dyspnea in COPD patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by airflow obstruction and lung hyperinflation leading to dyspnea and exercise capacity limitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to evaluate whether an extra-fine combination of beclomethasone and formoterol (BDP/F) was effective in reducing air trapping in COPD patients with hyperinflation. Fluticasone salmeterol (FP/S) combination treatment was the active control.
  
  
  METHODS
  COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in one second <65% and plethysmographic functional residual capacity ≥120% of predicted were randomized to a double-blind, double-dummy, 12-week, parallel group, treatment with either BDP/F 400/24 μg/day or FP/S 500/100 μg/day. Lung volumes were measured with full body plethysmography, and dyspnea was measured with transition dyspnea index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients were evaluable for intention to treat. A significant reduction in air trapping and clinically meaningful improvement in transition dyspnea index total score was detected in the BDP/F group but not in the FP/S group. Functional residual capacity, residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity significantly improved from baseline in the BDP/F group only. With regard to group comparison, a significantly greater reduction in RV was observed with BDP/F versus FP/S.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BDP/F extra-fine combination is effective in reducing air trapping and dyspnea in COPD patients with lung hyperinflation.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors: Panagiota
authors: P
authors: Tzani
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Crisafulli
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Nicolini
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Aiello
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Chetta
authors: Enrico Maria
authors: EM
authors: Clini
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: Olivieri
mesh_terms: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D005652:Functional Residual Capacity; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012115:Residual Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001507:Beclomethasone; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate