Tiotropium Respimat® improves physical functioning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Published in: International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Vol. 5; pp. 367 - 373
• Main Authors: Rau-Berger, Heike, Mitfessel, Harald, Glaab, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press 10.10.2010
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Administration, Inhalation; Aged; Bronchodilator Agents - administration & dosage; Bronchodilator Agents - adverse effects; Cholinergic Antagonists - administration & dosage; Cholinergic Antagonists - adverse effects; Female; Germany; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Original Research; Patient Satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - drug therapy; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Recovery of Function; Scopolamine Derivatives - administration & dosage; Scopolamine Derivatives - adverse effects; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Tiotropium Bromide; Treatment Outcome; Germany; physical function; therapy; COPD; tiotropium
• DOI: 10.2147/copd.s14082
• ISSN: 1178-2005; 1176-9106

This observational study with tiotropium Respimat® was performed in a real-life setting to investigate its effectiveness with regard to physical functioning and tolerability. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 1,230; mean age, 65.5 years) received tiotropium 5 μg once daily via Respimat® Soft Inhaler for 6 weeks in an open-label observational study. At baseline and week 6, patients completed the Physical Function subdomain [PF-10] of the Short Form (SF) 36 questionnaire. Improvement in standardized PF-10 score of ≥10 points was achieved by 61.5% of patients. Mean (SD) standardized PF-10 scores improved by 13.4 (15.9) points, from 49.0 (24.5) to 62.3 points (23.5; P < 0.001). Results in smokers (n = 435) were not significantly different to those in nonsmokers. The general condition of patients improved during treatment. Adverse events were reported by 4.0% of patients and were chiefly respiratory symptoms and dry mouth. In COPD patients receiving tiotropium Respimat® in daily practice, physical function improved rapidly within 6 weeks of treatment, irrespective of smoking status.