Efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide inhalation in symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A multicenter, prospective, and observational study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Treatment guidelines have recommended tiotropium bromide inhalation (TBI), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, its efficacy in symptomatic Chinese patients with COPD remains uninvestigated. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with COPD assessment test (CAT) scores exceeding 10 points from 19 hospitals spread across China. All patients received TBI and underwent follow-up for 3 months. The demographic and clinical information were assessed. Results The final analysis included 378 patients. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) of all participants improved markedly after 3 months of treatment (FEV1: mean 1.33 L versus 1.61 L, P < 0.001; FEV1/FVC: mean 0.53 versus 0.62, P < 0.001). The mean CAT scores decreased from 26.56 to 16.28 (P < 0.001). Patients classified into group D based on the Global Initiative for COPD guidelines showed greater improvement in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC than that in patients in group B. The proportion of patients with acute exacerbations also declined from 28.6% in the first month to 4.2% in the third month. Conclusion TBI for 3 months could effectively and safely attenuate symptoms and airflow obstruction in symptomatic Chinese patients with COPD.