Representative studies of the effect of long acting bronchodilators in COPD
| Study | No of patients | Duration(years) | Mean FEV1(% predicted) | Comparison | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rossi88 | 434 | 1 | 48% | Formoterol 12 μg twice daily v placebo | Mean % of days of additional treatment reduced from 8% to 4%. Percentage of patients receiving additional treatment for exacerbations reduced from 34% to 23% |
| Szafranski26 | 406 | 1 | 36% | Formoterol 12 μg twice daily v placebo | Reduced need to use >4 extra inhalations of reliever/day by 55%. No effect on severe exacerbations or use of oral steroids |
| Calverley27 | 511 | 1 | 36% | Formoterol 12 μg twice daily v placebo | No difference in time to first exacerbation, mean rate of exacerbations, and exacerbations requiring oral steroids |
| Brusasco89 | 807 | 0.5 | 39% | Salmeterol 50 μg twice daily v placebo | No difference in time to first exacerbation or exacerbation rate |
| Mahler72 | 341 | 0.5 | 41% | Salmeterol 50 μg twice daily v placebo | No difference in time to first treated moderate exacerbation |
| TRISTAN31 | 733 | 1 | 44% | Salmeterol 50 μg twice daily v placebo | 20% reduction in exacerbation rate. 29% reduction in rate of exacerbations requiring oral steroids |
| Casaburi74 | 921 | 1 | 39% | Tiotropium 18 μg twice daily v placebo | Delay in time to first exacerbation. 20% reduction in exacerbations, 14% reduction in number of subjects exacerbating. |
| Brusasco89 | 802 | 0.5 | 39% | Tiotropium 18 μg twice daily v placebo | Delay in time to first exacerbation. Reduction in mild/moderate exacerbation rate |