title: Acetylic Salicylic Acid for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Current treatment options provide relief from symptoms rather than stop disease progress. Results from various preclinical experiments suggest a causal benefit of acetylic salicylic acid (ASA) in the treatment of COPD. Hence, this study set out to examine the clinical benefit of ASA in the treatment of COPD. COPD patients (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease II-III) received either once daily 500 mg of ASA or a matching placebo for 12 weeks in addition to their preexisting medication. Clinical response in terms of pulmonary function testing, symptomatic response and adverse events were assessed. After 40 subjects were included, the study was stopped and an interim analysis was performed. The addition of ASA to the treatment of subjects with COPD had no effect on clinical features or spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: F = 0.49, d.f.1 = 1, d.f.2 = 74, p = 0.486) and non-pulmonary markers. COPD represents a complex of different diseases, although currently classified mainly by markers of lung function. If future trials test the effects of anti-inflammatory therapies, COPD subpopulations should be predefined based on inflammatory features.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwameis
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pils
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hagmann
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeitlinger
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sauermann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D001241:Aspirin