[Lung function and exercise tolerance after treatment with salmeterol or ipratropium bromide in chronic obstructive...

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 6 months therapy with salmeterol or ipratropium bromide on lung function (resting and dynamic parameters), exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In open, randomised study patients at visit 1 were included into trial, at visit 2 and, after 6 months therapy, at visit 3 lung function measured by a pressure body plethysmography, exercise tolerance was investigated by 6 minute walking test and dyspnoea was analysed by the means of Borg scale. We studied 24 patients (18 males, 6 females, range age 45-76 yrs, mean: 60.2+/-10.46) with stable COPD. 13 subjects (mean FEV1 = 63.61% predicted, SD = 15.66%) received salmeterol (2 x 50 microg/day) and 11 subjects (mean FEV1 = 62.52% predicted, SD = 12.39%) received ipratropium bromide (4 x 40 microg/day). There were no significant changes in lung function parameters (FEV1, VC, Rtot, TLC, RV and RV%TLC) after 6 months therapy with both drugs, but the treatment with salmeterol significantly improves exercise tolerance in 6 minute walking test (p=0.048) and Borg dyspnea ratings (p=0.008).