title: Acute bronchodilator responses decline progressively over 4 years in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously reported a progressive decline in absolute responses of FEV1 and FVC to a near-maximal dose of 2 different short-acting bronchodilators over 4 years. Since varying host factors and the method of expressing the response may impact the time trend of acute bronchodilator responses, we now examined the potential influence of salient host characteristics on changes in bronchodilator responses over time expressed in different ways.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of the 4-year, placebo-controlled Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) trial, pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed at baseline and 1 month and every 6 months thereafter. Post-bronchodilator values for FEV1 and FVC were analyzed for subjects completing at least the 1 year visit (Placebo - N = 2463; Tiotropium - N = 2579), stratified by GOLD stage, age, gender and smoking status and expressed as absolute, relative (%) and % predicted changes from pre-bronchodilator values. Annual changes in bronchodilator response were estimated using linear mixed effects models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all subjects analyzed, FEV1 and FVC bronchodilator responses showed progressive and highly significant (p < 0.0001) declines over 4 years. Declines were generally larger in patients with severe/very severe than mild/moderate airflow obstruction, in older patients (≥65 yrs) and in former than continuing smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute FEV1 and FVC responses to bronchodilators decline significantly over time in COPD patients, whether expressed as absolute, relative or % predicted changes, potentially impacting on the clinical responses to bronchodilator therapy as well as on the annual rate of decline in post-bronchodilator lung function. Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT00144339.
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Tashkin
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Kleerup
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Halpin
authors.forename: Bartolome
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Celli
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Decramer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elashoff
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000368:Aged; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide