Tiotropium Respimat® Improves Physical Functioning in COPD Patients

Daily administration of tiotropium Respimat^® has been determined to improve physical functioning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, irrespective of smoking status, according to a recent study out of Germany.

The non-interventional study, published in the International Journal of COPD, examined COPD patients across 230 pulmonary offices in Germany, with patients receiving treatment with tiotropium Respimat for approximately six weeks. At the first clinic visit, data was collected on demographics, smoking history, coexisting diseases and current medications.

Patients started treatment with tiotropium taking 5 μg once daily (two puffs of 2.5 μg) via the Respimat inhaler and were allowed to take any other pulmonary medications. After six weeks of study treatment, patients returned for a second clinic visit, during which time their physical function was measured by a self-administered questionnaire.

The questionnaire sought to determine patients’ restriction during activities such as carrying groceries, climbing one flight of stairs, climbing several flights of stairs, bending, kneeling or snooping, walking, bathing or dressing and overall moderate or vigorous activities.

For the primary efficacy endpoint, 61.5% of patients achieved “therapeutic success,” with no statistically significant difference in the success rate between smokers and nonsmokers. Further, patients’ general condition improved during treatment, while adverse events were reported by 4.0% of patients, with chief complaints being respiratory symptoms and dry mouth.

This is the first observational study to investigate the effect of tiotropium Respimat on physical activity in a large patient population in primary care.

Click Here to Access “Tiotropium Respimat® improves physical functioning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” in The International Journal of COPD