Tiotropium Respimat® improves physical functioning in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AIM: This observational study with tiotropium Respimat(®) was performed in a real-life setting to investigate its effectiveness with regard to physical functioning and tolerability. METHODS: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 1,230; mean age, 65.5 years) received tiotropium 5 μg once daily via Respimat(®) Soft Inhaler for 6 weeks in an open-label observational study. At baseline and week 6, patients completed the Physical Function subdomain [PF-10] of the Short Form (SF) 36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Improvement in standardized PF-10 score of ≥10 points was achieved by 61.5% of patients. Mean (SD) standardized PF-10 scores improved by 13.4 (15.9) points, from 49.0 (24.5) to 62.3 points (23.5; P < 0.001). Results in smokers (n = 435) were not significantly different to those in nonsmokers. The general condition of patients improved during treatment. Adverse events were reported by 4.0% of patients and were chiefly respiratory symptoms and dry mouth. CONCLUSION: In COPD patients receiving tiotropium Respimat(®) in daily practice, physical function improved rapidly within 6 weeks of treatment, irrespective of smoking status.