Effect of tiotropium combined with salmeterol/fluticasone propionate in patients with severe-to-very severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of tiotropium combined with salmeterol/fluticasone propionate in patients with severe to-very severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods One hundred and two patients admitted for severe-tovery severe stable COPD from January 2008 to February 2010 were randotnly assigned to receive tiotropium alone (group A),salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (50/500 μg) alone (group B),and combination of tiotropium and salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (group C),respectively,for 6 months.All patients were assessed at months 3 and 6 for pulmonary with ventilation function,exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life.Results At both months 3 and 6,pulmonary ventilation function,exercise tolerance,and health-related quality of life were improved in all groups compared with pretreatment values.Moreover,significantly greater improvement of the three indicators was observed in group C than in groups A and B (all P ＜0.05).Conclusions The combination of tiotropium and salmeterol/fluticasone propionate was superior to any single-agent treatment in improving pulmonary ventilation function,exercise tolerance,and quality of life in patients with severe-to-very severe stable COPD,without additional adverse effects.Therefore,it should be encouraged in clinical practice. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ;  Tiotropium ;  Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate