Ipratropium bromide versus long-acting beta-2 agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Published in: Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2006-07, Vol.2006 (3), p.CD006101-CD006101
• Main Authors: Appleton, S, Jones, T, Poole, P, Pilotto, L, Adams, R, Lasserson, T J, Smith, B, Muhammad, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Agonists - therapeutic use; Adult; Albuterol - analogs & derivatives; Albuterol - therapeutic use; Bronchodilator Agents - therapeutic use; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stable - pharmacotherapy; Ethanolamines - therapeutic use; Formoterol Fumarate; Humans; Ipratropium - therapeutic use; Lungs & airways; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - drug therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Salmeterol Xinafoate
• ISSN: 1469-493X
• DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006101

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition associated with high morbidity, mortality and cost to the community. Patients often report symptomatic improvement with long acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) and anticholinergic bronchodilator medications, both of which are recommended in COPD guidelines. These medications have different mechanisms of action and therefore theoretically could have an additive effect when combined. As these medications are prescribed in COPD as long term therapy, it is important to assemble reliable evidence on their relative and additive effects. To compare the relative efficacy and safety of regular long term use (at least four weeks) of ipratropium bromide and LABA in patients with stable COPD. Comparisons were made between single agents and in combination versus LABAs alone. We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of Trials (August 2005) and reference lists of articles. We also contacted drug companies for relevant trial data. All randomised controlled trials comparing treatment for at least four weeks with an anticholinergic agent (ipratropium bromide) alone or in combination with LABA versus LABA alone, delivered via metered dose inhaler or nebuliser, in non-asthmatic adult subjects with stable COPD. Three review authors independently performed data extraction and study quality assessment. We contacted study authors and pharmaceutical companies for missing data. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria of the review (2652 participants). Monotherapy comparison (six studies): There was a significantly greater change in favour of salmeterol in morning PEF and FEV1. There were no significant differences in quality of life, exacerbations, or symptoms. Formoterol appeared to confer some benefits over ipratropium treatment in terms of morning peak flow. Combination comparison (three studies): There was a significant improvement in post-bronchodilator lung function, supplemental short-acting beta-agonist use and HRQL in favour of combination therapy compared with salmeterol alone. The available data from the trials suggest that there is little difference between regular long term use of IpB alone and salmeterol if the aim is to improve COPD symptoms and exercise tolerance. However, salmeterol was more effective in improving lung function variables. In terms of post-bronchodilator lung function, combination therapy conferred modest benefits and a significant improvement in HRQL, and reduced supplement