Improvement of pulmonary function and dyspnea by tiotropium in COPD patients using a transdermal β2-agonist

K. Akamatsu, T. Yamagata, T. Takahashi, K. Miura, S. Maeda, Y. Yamagata, T. Ichikawa, S. Yanagisawa, K. Ueshima, T. Hirano, M. Nakanishi, K. Matsunaga, Y. Minakata, M. Ichinose

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8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: A combination of bronchodilators may be effective in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined the effect of adding a long-acting anti-cholinergic agent (tiotropium) to a transdermal-type β2-agonist (tulobuterol) on dyspnea as well as pulmonary function. Methods: In a multicentre, randomized, parallel design study, 60 COPD patients treated with the transdermal β2-agonist tulobuterol were divided into a tiotropium added group (Tulo+Tio group, n = 40) or transdermal β2-agonist tulobuterol alone group (Tulo group, n = 20), and then treated for 4 weeks after a 2 week run-in period. Pulmonary function and a dyspnea (Medical Research Council (MRC)) scale were assessed before and after the treatment. Daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring was also performed. Results: After 4 weeks, the Tulo+Tio group showed a significant increase in pulmonary function compared with the Tulo group; ΔFVC (0.31±0.06 L vs. 0.06±0.05 L, p< 0.01), ΔFEV1 (0.15±0.03 L vs. -0.02±0.02 L, p<0.0001), and ΔPEF (41.0±5.1 L/min vs. 0.5±3.5 L/min, p<0.0001). The MRC dyspnea scale was also significantly improved in Tulo+Tio, but not in Tulo group. Conclusion: These results suggest that tiotropium caused a significant improvement in both pulmonary function and dyspnea in COPD patients already treated with the transdermal β2-agonist tulobuterol.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)701-707
Number of pages7
JournalPulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007 Dec

Keywords

  • Combination therapy
  • Dyspnea
  • Pulmonary function
  • Tiotropium
  • Transdermal β-agonist tulobuterol

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