Review: tiotropium reduces exacerbations and hospital admissions in COPD and improves quality of life

Stanbrook, Matthew B MD, PhD (commentator)

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Barr RG, Bourbeau J, Camargo CA, et al. Inhaled tiotropium for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;(2):CD002876.Q In patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is tiotropium more effective than placebo or other bronchodilators for reducing the risk of clinical end points?

For correspondence: Dr R G Barr, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. [email protected]

Source of funding: no external funding.

Evidence Based Medicine 10(6):p 176, December 2005.

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★★☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★★☆ Internal medicine ★★★★★★☆ Respirology ★★★★★☆☆