title: Comparison of three combined pharmacological approaches with tiotropium monotherapy in stable moderate to severe COPD: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Guidelines recommend the use of inhaled long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and their combinations for maintenance treatment of moderate to severe COPD. However, there are limited data supporting combination therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This systematic review assessed the efficacy of three therapeutic approaches: tiotropium plus long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) ("dual" therapy), LABA/ICS ("combined" therapy), and tiotropium plus LABA/ICS ("triple" therapy), all compared with tiotropium monotherapy. Randomized controlled trials were identified after a search of different databases of published and unpublished trials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty trials (6803 participants) were included. "Dual" therapy showed significant improvements in forced volume in the first second (FEV(1)), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and dyspnea. However, it failed to reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations. Compared with tiotropium, "combined" therapy presented modest but significant effects on FEV(1), HRQoL, and dyspnea. Again, there was no significant difference in exacerbations, but it was associated with a significant increase of serious adverse effects (SAE) (number need to treat for harm [NNTH] = 20; 95% CI: 11-119). Finally, "triple therapy" increased FEV(1), improved HRQoL (both benefits exceeded minimal important differences) and decrease COPD exacerbations in anon-significant way. (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.37, p = 0.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  "Dual" and "triple" therapy seem like the most promising for patients with moderate to very severe COPD. However, data are still scarce and studies too short to generate a strong recommendation. Future studies should examine long-term efficacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Emergencia, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas, Av. 8 de Octubre 3020, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay. gurodrig@adinet.com.uy
authors.forename: Gustavo J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Plaza
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castro-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide