Efficacy of tiotropium in treatment of moderate and severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of inhaled tiotropium in treatment of patients with moderate to severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD). Methods Fifty-six patients with moderate to severe COPD in stable phase were randomly divided into the observation group and control group,28 in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with symbicort turbuhaler,and patients in the observation group received tiotropium combined budesonide therapy. Both the courses of treatment were 48 weeks. The pulmonary function test,the number of acute episodes,intervals between attacks,SGRQ and MMRC were observed after drug administration in the two groups. Results The first second forced expiratory volume( FEV1),forced vital capacity( FVC),FEV1/FVC% and inspiratory capacity( IC) were significantly improved after being treated with tiotropium for 48 weeks( all P 0.05). Compared with the control group,the values of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC% and IC were significantly increased in the observation group( all P 0. 05). The numbers of acute episodes was less,the intervals between attacks was longer and the life quality scores improved in both the two groups as compared with those before treatment( all P 0. 05),and the observation group improved much better than the control group. Conclusion Tiotropium could improve pulmonary function,reduce the number of exacerbations and intervals,improve quality of life in patients with stable COPD with high safety,which is worthy of clinical promotion.